Jul 1, 2012
The Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Research Center, Graduate School of Economics, Tohoku University is working on research projects on regional industrial reconstruction. Center Director of AP-IMAC, Professor Yukihiko Nakata, will cooperate with Professor Tomoatsu Shibata of Tohoku University (Technology Management) and participate in one of the projects: a renewable energy industrialization support project.
The project will start this fiscal year, taking two to three years to study the present conditions and potential of renewable energy technologies (including solar power, geothermal, and wind power) in the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan. In parallel, the project will examine specific examples and trends of research and development and business in the Kyushu region and in western countries, which are more advanced in this field. The goals of this project are to utilize the outcomes for the business community and the municipalities in Tohoku, to support industrialization of renewable energy, and to support earthquake disaster reconstruction through the creation of new employment and industries.
Of the top five prefectures in the nation in terms of penetration rate of solar power generation systems for residential use, four – including Oita – are from Kyushu. Through seminars and reports, related businesses which were started in the region will be introduced. Local small- and medium-sized businesses will be given suggestions for R&D fields that will be easy for them to enter by taking advantage of their company strengths. Around three to four years from now, the project is expected to develop a strategy to create renewable energy industries well suited to the situations of Tohoku, aiming to realize it with the cooperation of the local community. Professor Nakata explained, “In order for the disaster stricken areas to achieve reconstruction, creation of new industries which provide workplaces for the region is indispensable. Tohoku has high potential in the renewable energy sector, such as wind power and geothermal. I would like to contribute, and hope that utilization of such energy will be promoted.”
The content of this article was published on the front page of the June 7, 2012, morning edition of oita-press.
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Jun 21, 2012
On May 16 APU Master's students' presentation sessions were held. The following three Master's students who received the RCAPS Master's Field Research Support presented.
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Feb 13, 2012
The Research Institute for Global Management of Technology for Catching Up (GMOT) of Konkuk University and the Asia Pacific Innovation Management Center (AP-IMAC) signed a joint research agreement on July 19, 2010.
Per the agreement, AP-IMAC Director Yukihiko Nakata visited Professor Chaisung Peter Lim, the Director of GMOT, Konkuk University, on February 13, 2012, and the two exchanged views on a comparative research study of the Japanese and South Korean electrical industries.
Japan’s share in the world production capacity of solar cells reached about 50% in 2004, but by 2010 it had plummeted to 9%. Korea has lagged behind significantly, with a 3% share of the world production capacity in 2010. For this reason, the meeting was held for the comparative analyses of the solar cell industries in Japan and South Korea. In addition, the two parties discussed the TV production business, which in Japan has recently run up a huge deficit. Both parties agreed that further study would be carried out in order to deepen the cooperation between Japan and South Korea in comparative studies on the electrical industry.
On the introduction of Professor Lim, Director Nakata also visited Professor Chan Im of the Next Generation Solar Cell Research Center (KFnSC), Konkuk University. Professor Im’s research field is organic solar cells. Director Nakata’s group was allowed to tour the inside of the research center, which has two large clean rooms equipped with much expensive equipment. It was explained that all the equipment costs were provided by the city of Seoul.
Organic solar cells are hopeful as the next generation of solar cell, but there are still some challenges in conversion efficiency and lifetime, and further research and development is necessary. For that reason, research and development for the next generation solar cells is being carried out in Japan and Kyushu as well. Both parties agreed to seek the possibility of cooperation in the future.
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Dec 2, 2011
On November 16 APU Master's students' presentation sessions were held. The following four Master's students who received the RCAPS Master's Field Research Support presented.
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Jun 1, 2011
On May 18 and May 25 APU Master's students' presentation sessions were held. A total of 10 Master's students who received the RCAPS Master's Field Research Support presented.
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