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Co-JUNKAN platform towards beyond zero-carbon society
UTokyo’s IFI and RCAST Sign MOU with the Philippines’ SRA to Enhance Sugarcane-related Life Cycles Research
Co-JUNKAN platform towards beyond zero-carbon society
On March 21, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI) and the Research Center for Advanced Study and Technology (RCAST) of the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) of the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines, at the Hongo Campus of UTokyo.
This MOU aims to foster regional collaboration between UTokyo and SRA in the field of mutual interest and to support potential collaboration among researchers associated with both institutions. More specifically, the signatories of the MOU intend to pursue collaboration on practical academic research related to sugarcane-derived production, technology assessment, systems design, and social demonstration of sugarcane-related life cycles with advanced technologies.
The SRA is a Philippine government agency in charge of the sugar industry and has a research and development department concerning sugar production, while UTokyo is staffed with many life cycle assessment (LCA) experts such as at IFI and RCAST, with extensive knowledge in LCA and system design related to sugarcane. In the view to advance sugarcane-related life cycle research, Prof. Yasunori Kikuchi of IFI and Project Prof. Satoshi Ohara of RCAST had an extensive discussion on the potential areas of collaboration with the SRA, supported by Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), which already initiated joint research with the SRA on developing climate-resilient sugarcane for tropical islands.
The collaboration under this MOU is expected to foster the sharing of scientific knowledge and technical expertise, leading to the development and advancement of sugarcane-derived industries in the Philippines and Japan, and further enhancing food production capacity and food security across the Asian region. As a leading authority in LCA research, UTokyo is anticipated to benefit from this collaboration to advance research in the field of life cycle studies.
To commemorate the signing of the MOU, a ceremony was held in the presence of honored guests, Mr. Christian L. De Jesus, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo, and Mr. Osamu Koyama, President of JIRCAS, and attended by approximately 30 participants, including researchers and media.
The ceremony began with an introductory session by Project Prof. Satoshi Ohara of RCAST, who explained the background of the MOU and the ongoing research project on the sugarcane-related life cycle and its prospective developments. Following this, MOU signatories, Prof. Kensuke Fukushi, Director of IFI, Mr. Pablo Luis S. Azcona, Administrator and CEO of SRA, and Prof. Masakazu Sugiyama, Director of RCAST, highlighted that the potential of sugarcane is not only as a source of sugar but also as a biofuel and other green chemicals. The signatories emphasized the potential to simultaneously address regional issues, such as the decline in the farming population and revitalization of local industries, as well as global issues, such as decarbonization, through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates agriculture, engineering, economics, and other fields to transform sugarcane into high-value-added commodities. They expressed strong expectations for the connection between academic research based on the MOU and the social implementation of technology, as well as its international expansion.
Then, Prof. Atsushi Tsuda conveyed his sincere appreciation to all partners who contributed to the establishment of this MOU and concluded his speech with the hope that the UTokyo-SRA collaboration under this MOU will serve as a basis for addressing the global challenges our society faces.
Finally, Prof. Yasunori Kikuchi of IFI made closing remarks, noting that on the occasion of the SRA delegation’s visit to Japan, his research team is excited to introduce them to the research field in Tanegashima during the upcoming twoday site visit and to engage in active discussions with local partners there.
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