Japanese text: https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jp/topics/2024/07/jspsj-peaks.html

President Soichiro Nakamura of Shinshu University Introduces University's Initiatives at JSPS-Sponsored J-PEAKS Kickoff Symposium

On July 5, 2024, the "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities" (J-PEAKS) Kickoff Symposium, organized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), was held to deepen the program's initiatives and share information with the public. The event featured presentations on initiatives from universities selected in fiscal year 2023, as well as opportunities for inter-university exchange.

At the symposium, President Nakamura presented Shinshu University's vision in a talk titled, "Shinshu University's Challenge: Contributing to the Region Through Social Innovation Created by Cross-Regional Collaboration."

The university's project, which was selected for the program, aims to achieve an "Earth-Positive" transformation by moving away from planetary boundaries. It focuses on research in the field of Aqua-Regeneration, which aims to regenerate the global environment, primarily through water and water-derived green energy. The goal is to realize a carbon-neutral society where economic growth and sustainability coexist.

President Nakamura touched on the severe global water and energy crises. He presented a future vision for a society where the "regeneration of the water planet Earth" has been achieved through the social implementation of advanced circulation systems for household, industrial, and agricultural water that do not burden the environment, and the production of green hydrogen through artificial photosynthesis. He also explained the progress and future roadmap for a demonstration town concept being promoted in collaboration with local governments in Nagano Prefecture. This project aims to develop a system for the infinite circulation and local production and consumption of water and energy. He concluded by expressing his aspirations, stating, "The mission of a J-PEAKS university is to connect with the world. We want to look widely at the world, promote future-oriented education and research, and give back the results to our local community."

The event drew high interest in the J-PEAKS program, with approximately 1,000 attendees, including those who participated online.