Annual Reports

FY2025

Defining “Scenario”
(This report revisits the fundamental question, “What is a scenario?” and organizes a framework for envisioning a carbon-neutral society.)

FY2024

Interim Report: Scenarios for Carbon Neutrality — Visions of a Flourishing or Declining Society
(This interim report presents several scenarios toward a carbon-neutral society and outlines their development methodologies and structures.)

Journal Articles

FY2024

Sugiyama, M., Fujimori, S., Wada, K., Kato, E., Matsuo, Y., Nishiura, O., Oshiro, K., Otsuki, T.,“Residual emissions and carbon removal towards Japan’s net-zero goal: a multi-model analysis“,2024.doi:10.1088/2515-7620/ad4af2

(This paper employs a multi-model analysis to demonstrate that achieving Japan’s 2050 net-zero goal requires both large-scale emissions reductions—driven by energy efficiency and clean technologies—and the strategic implementation of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).)


Kawaguchi, S., Fujimori, S., Oshiro, K., Maruta, Y., Yoshida, Daiki, Chao, S., Hasegawa, T., “Assessment of the Impacts of Japan’s 2050 Decarbonization Scenarios on Different Income Groups.” Environmental & Sanitary Engineering Research, 2024


Kawaguchi, S., Fujimori, S., Oshiro, K., Maruta, Y., Yoshida, Daiki, Chao, S., Hasegawa, T., “Impact Assessment of Japan’s Decarbonization Scenarios on Household Consumption Considering Income Groups.” Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, 2024 doi:10.2208/jscejj.24-27002

(This paper utilizes a multi-model approach to evaluate the impacts of Japan’s decarbonization scenarios on household consumption across different income groups. It highlights the potential for regressivity and discusses the critical importance of policy interventions to mitigate these effects.)

FY2023

Oshiro, K., Fujimori, S.,Mid-century net-zero emissions pathways for Japan: Potential roles of global mitigation scenarios in informing national decarbonization strategies.”,Energy and Climate Change, vol. 5, p.100128, 2024.doi:10.1016/j.egycc.2024.100128

(This paper demonstrates the necessity of electrification and large-scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) to achieve Japan’s 2050 net-zero goal. It further examines the costs and dependency risks associated with hydrogen and carbon credit imports, ultimately highlighting the critical importance of a global evaluation perspective.)


Edmonds, J., Fujimori, S., Iyer, G., McJeon, H., O’Rourke, P., Tristan, J., Vuuren, D.v., Yu, S.,“Global Energy System Transitions”,Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, vol. 18, no. 1, p2-25, 2024. doi:10.1086/728206

(This paper compares current trends in the global energy system with alternative scenarios compatible with climate change mitigation. It also identifies key research challenges to better support informed decision-making.)

Presentations

FY2024

Otomo, J. “Carbon Neutral Technologies Empowered by Solid State Ionics: Fuel Cells, Energy Carriers, and Carbon Recycling.” The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) Utsunomiya Meeting 2024, Tochigi, Japan. November 8, 2024.


Fujimori, S. “Climate Change and a Decarbonized Society: The Society We Aim For — Uncovering Key Factors for a Sustainable Society and Vibrant Economic Activity.” Policy Design Series Vol. 8, Design Forum, Kyoto, Japan. March 18, 2025.


Otomo, J. “Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Energy Storage Technologies: Initiatives in Prospective and Proactive Techno-Economic Analysis (Cost Engineering).” Platinum Renewable Energy Initiative, March 21, 2025.


FY2023

Otomo, J. “Cost Engineering of SOFC/SOEC Systems and PCFC Systems.” The 127th SOFC Society of Japan Meeting, Tokyo, Japan. April 25, 2023.


Otomo, J. “Hydrogen Production and Carbon Recycling Using the Chemical Looping Method.” Lecture Meeting of the Advanced Chemical & Material Technology Division, Japan Association for Chemical Innovation (JACI), June 20, 2023.


Otomo, J. “Cell and System Design of Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells (PCFCs) for Higher Efficiency.” The 284th Regular Meeting of the Fuel Cell and FCH Association, Osaka, Japan. July 10, 2023.


Otomo, J. “Development of Next-Generation Highly Efficient Fuel Cells and Application to Electrosynthesis.” The 54th SCEJ Autumn Meeting, Fukuoka, Japan. September 12, 2023.


Fujimori, S. “Climate Change and a Decarbonized Society: The Role of Sewage Systems in Solving Climate Issues.” Lecture on the Role of Sewerage in Climate Change Mitigation, Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), Tokyo, Japan. January 23, 2024.


Otomo, J. “Solid State Ionics and Reaction Systems for Carbon Neutrality.” The 26th Hanko-kai Lecture Meeting, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ), Osaka, Japan. March 17, 2024.

 

Conference Presentations

FY2024

[International Conferences]

Umeda, R., Amasawa, E., Sugiyama, M. “Exploring Techno-economically Feasible Pathways for Olefin Production by CCU: In Light of Japan’s Carbon Neutrality.” The 16th Biennial International Conference on EcoBalance, Sendai, Japan. November 3, 2024.


Vishwanathan, S., Udayan Singh, Tirthankar Nag, Omkar Patange, Vidhee Avashia, Garg, A.,”Synchronizing development-led energy transitions towards India’s Net Zero in 2070″,Seventeenth Annual Meeting of the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium (IAMC) 2024, November 5, 2024

[Domestic Conferences]


Kawaguchi, S., Fujimori, S., Oshiro, K., Maruta, Y., Yoshida, Daiki, Chao, S., Hasegawa, T. “Assessment of the Impacts of Japan’s 2050 Decarbonization Scenarios on Different Income Groups.” The 46th Symposium of Environmental & Sanitary Engineering Research, Kyoto University, July 27, 2024.


Frazer, E. K., Cao, T., Sugiyama, M., Fujimori, S., Wada, K., Shiraki, H., Kato, E., Matsuo, Y., Nishiura, O., Oshiro, K., Otsuki, T., Sano, F., Yoshida, H. “Exploring the Composition of Japan’s Future Energy System Through the Japan Model Intercomparison Platform 2: Net Zero.” The 43rd Annual Conference of Japan Society of Energy and Resources, August 6, 2024.


Hartwig, M., Sugiyama, M., Shiraki, H.,”Evaluation of Use of Scenarios in Japan’s Energy and Climate Policymaking”,Society for Economic and Environmental Policy (SEEPS), September 15, 2024


Kawaguchi, S., Fujimori, S., Oshiro, K., Maruta, Y., Yoshida, Daiki, Chao, S., Hasegawa, T. “Assessment of the Impacts on Household Consumption Considering Income Groups in Japan’s Decarbonization Scenarios.” The 32nd Symposium on Global Environment, September 24, 2024.


Hartwig, M., Sugiyama, M., Shiraki, H. “Scenarios in Japan’s Energy and Climate Policy: A Case for Greater Adaptability and ELSI Integration.” The 41st Energy and Resources Workshop (Japan Society of Energy and Resources / JSER), February 28, 2025.


Hartwig, M., Sugiyama, M., Shiraki, H. “Scenarios in Japan’s Energy and Climate Policy: A Case for Greater Adaptability and ELSI Integration.” The 4th UTCCS Symposium (The University of Tokyo Center for Climate Solutions), March 6, 2025.

FY2023

[International Conferences]

Oshiro, K., Fujimori, S. “The Role of Sewerage Systems in Addressing Climate Change.” The 16th Annual Meeting of the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium (IAMC) 2023, Venice, Italy. November 15, 2023.

[Domestic Conferences]

Kaibe, K., Otomo, J. “A Case Study towards Sustainable Forestry and Regional Low-carbonization in Tochigi Prefecture.” The 19th Conference on Biomass Science, Japan Institute of Energy, December 8, 2023.


Otomo, J. “Cost Engineering of Next-Generation Fuel Cells.” CESD Workshop (The University of Tokyo Collaboration Unit for Energy System Design), February 2, 2024.

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