Ministry Of Economy , Trade And Industry Research Articles

METI and Japanese scramble: re-definition of Japan’s African policy under the second abe administration and future of African summit diplomacy

During the Second Abe Administration (2012-2020), Japan intensified its efforts to strengthen economic ties with Africa. This paper explores the reasons behind this shift and its implications for Japan’s African policy. Challenging the prevailing ‘Reactive State’ model of Japanese African policy, the study argues that the shift resulted from political and bureaucratic reforms that centralized power in the Prime Minister’s office (Kantei) and Abe’s favoritism toward the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). As a result, METI gained greater influence over African policy. Unlike the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, METI views Africa as a promising market with a limited Japanese presence and advocates for a more business-oriented approach. The paper concludes that Japan’s new policy provides a convincing reason why Japan must engage with Africa. However, Japanese companies do not always follow as the Government intended. Despite government efforts, the Japanese private sector remains hesitant to expand investment in Africa due to challenging business environments and the absence of legal frameworks between Japan and African countries.

Analysis of Stakeholders' Trust Level in the Nuclear Energy Domain in Japan

Abstract In discussions on the nuclear restart policy in Japan, trust among stakeholders in nuclear power is often raised as an issue. However, the discussion has progressed without analyzing the trust demanded by the Japanese public. A questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze the level of trust that 4,700 Japanese citizens (100 from each of the 47 prefectures) have in nuclear stakeholders by breaking trust down into three elements: “Perceived Competence,” “Perceived Motivation,” and “Salient Value Similarity” (SVS), which have been reported in the literature. In the survey, nine stakeholders were targeted: the Nuclear Regulation Authority; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the courts; the Diet; host municipalities; nuclear power operators and manufacturers; experts; research and international organizations; and the mass media. The analysis showed that the Japanese public is particularly interested in SVS with “nuclear power operators and manufacturers” among the various nuclear stakeholders. The SVS of “nuclear power operators and manufacturers” was highly correlated with that of organizations promoting nuclear power, suggesting that the public tends to perceive these organizations as sharing similar values. These results offer suggestions for actions that should be taken by each nuclear stakeholder to restore and improve trust.

Event Analysis of the Impact of the Announcement of Selected Competitive IT Strategy Companies on Stock Returns in Japan

Since FY2015, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) have jointly been selecting the excellent Japanese firms for their efforts for IT utilization as “Competitive IT Strategy Companies.” This paper investigates and examines stock market reaction to the announcement of the selected Competitive IT Strategy Companies. We use an event study methodology with a market model on a sample selected in FY2018. Our empirical analysis shows a few reactions in stock returns around the event day. The cumulative average abnormal return (CAAR) during the event period [-5,0] is significantly positive at the 10% level. This result indicates that the stock market reaction may have started prior to the 2018’s announcement date. The findings suggest that this study demonstrates the effectiveness of public policy program by METI and TSE, and assists investors in making wise decisions before reacting to the announcement of this annual program.

후쿠시마 처리오염수와 비판지정학

The discharge of Fukushima contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean began in the summer of August 2023. This paper proposes the concept of “treated (but still contaminated) water” from the perspective of critical geopolitics to address the issue of Fukushima contaminated water discharge to the sea. First, it revisits the scientific debates surrounding contaminated water and the process of demarcating contaminated areas in Chernobyl (soil contamination) and Fukushima (marine discharge). Second, it analyzes the Japanese government’s public service announcements and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI)’s public opinion polls and promotion of agricultural and fishery products as a public ascription of biological citizenship. It also examines the conservatization of the media, even those critical of nuclear power, following China’s suspension of imports of Japanese seafood. Third, it analyzes Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union and public comment that raised issues of national, regional, community, and procedural democracy in decision-making. Finally, we analyzed the implications of the treated (contaminated) water lawsuit, which raised the issue of violations of the London Convention. Through these analyses, we examined the causes and development of the Fukushima contaminated water problem and the search for alternatives in the medium and long term.

Oxygen Evolution Activity on Mo Added Zr Oxide Catalyst in Alkaline Solution

On Sep. 26, 2022, Hydrogen energy ministerial meeting (H2 EM 2022) was held by the ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) of Japanese government as online special event with cabinet members and officials from 30 countries, regions, and organizations. In the chair’s summary of meeting, an additional goal also proposed the amount of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen to be produced by 2030 of at least 90Mt H2. In the open session, the water electrolysis was one of the main topics of the session, and due to the demand for “Green Hydrogen” as already described in chairman’s summary, installed capacity of water electrolyzer has been required for the huge size of its module [1]. Here, “Green Hydrogen” is the hydrogen which is produced by the electricity from renewable energies introducing in our previous study [2].Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) has already commercialized and recently applied its system for the Power-to-Gas (PtG) all over the world. In the Fukushima hydrogen energy research field (FH2R) in Japan, one of the largest module of AWE named “Aqualyzer” has operated from 2020. However, previous literature reported that the degradation of Ni anode occurs operating by variable renewable energy (VNE) [3]. From this point of view, the alternative anode with high durability against VNE should be required for green hydrogen production. We focused on zirconium oxide-based electrocatalyst (ZrOx) and have studied the catalytic activity of its thin film fabricated by sputtering procedure for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [4-5]. In this study, we have investigated the OER activity of Mo added ZrO2 (Mo-ZrO2) fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and arc plasma deposition (APD) in alkaline solution.Mo-ZrOx was formed on Ti rods as a base material, using by ALD and APD. In the step of ALD, Tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium (TDMAZr) and water were used as precursor and oxidant of ZrO2, and the substrate was heated at 225 oC. The thickness of ZrO2 film was 10 nm for preparation. Then, the MoOx was fabricated by APD using Mo metal as target material at 0.74 Pa of partial pressure of oxygen and the substrate was heated at 300oC. At last, the annealing was performed under Ar atmosphere at 300 oC to produce the Mo-ZrO2 catalyst. In the case of inserting interlayer, TaOx was formed by the R.F. magnetron sputtering before ALD step. All electrochemical measurements were carried out using a three-electrode cell at 30 oC in 7 M KOH. A reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a carbon plate were used as a reference and a counter electrode, respectively. Mo-ZrO2 catalyst on Ti rod was used as working electrode. In order to evaluate the catalytic activity for the OER, slow scan voltammetry (SSV) was performed under N2 atmosphere. The current density (i geo) was based on the geometric surface area of the working electrode. The resistance of the film (R film) and charge transfer (R ct) was evaluated by AC impedance spectroscopic measurements in the frequency range from 105 to 10−1 Hz.Figure 1 shows Tafel plots of OER on Mo-ZrO2 catalysts with and without interlayer of TaOx (Mo-ZrO2/TaOx or Mo-ZrO2). Compared with previous result, Tafel plot of OER on Mo-ZrOx fabricated by sputtering (Mo-ZrOx_SP) was also showed in Fig. 1. The i geo at 1.8 V vs RHE on the Mo-ZrO2/TaOx was larger than that on the Mo-ZrO2, and was also similar to that on the Mo-ZrOx_SP. The Tafel slope of Mo-ZrO2/TaOx was 95 mV dec-1, and it was the smallest compared to other catalysts such as Mo-ZrO2 and Mo-ZrOx_SP. From the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the R film and R ct of Mo-ZrO2 was obviously larger than that of Mo-ZrO2/TaOx and Mo-ZrOx_SP. According to XPS result, ZrO2 around surface of both Mo-ZrO2/TaOx and Mo-ZrO2 were still remained after electrochemical measurement. Above all, the insert of interlayer of TaOx between Mo-ZrO2 and Ti rod (Mo-ZrO2/TaOx) was effective for activity and stability for OER, and it also has similar OER activity to Mo-ZrOx_SP.Acknowledgement: This work is partially supported by Hitachi Metals-Materials Science Foundation, Yashima Environment Technology Foundation, and Amano Institute of Technology.Reference https://hem-2022.nedo.go.jp/archive/ Ota, A. Ishihara, K. Matsuzawa, and S. Mitsushima, Electrochemistry, 78, 970 (2010). Ichikawa, K. Matsuzawa, Y. Kohno, I. Nagashima, Y. Sunada, Y. Nishiki, A. Manabe, and S. Mitsushima, ECS Trans., 58(33), 9 (2014). Matsuzawa, A. Ishihara, A. Ohshi, S. Mitsushima, and K. Ota, Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 267, 115112 (2020).K. Matsuzawa, A. Nozaka, and A. Ishihara, Abst. 241st ECS Meeting, #I02-1347 (2021). Figure 1

(Digital Presentation) Oxygen Evolution Reaction on Non-Precious Metal Oxide-Based Electrocatalysts With and Without Low Potential Scan in Acidic Solution

Hydrogen energy ministerial meeting (H2 EM 2021) was held on Oct. 4, 2021 by the ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) of Japanese government as online special event with cabinet members and officials from 29 countries, regions, and organizations. In the industrial session, 4 sessions were held, and the water electrolysis was one of the themes of industrial session. Panelists from several countries introduced state-of-art technologies of water electrolyzer [1]. In our previous study, the hydrogen producing from renewable energies is called as “Green Hydrogen” [2].Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) has partly commercialized and recently applied its system for the Power-to-Gas (PtG). However, conventional anode is precious metal oxide such as IrO2 and the cost of raw material is expensive. From this point of view, the non-precious metal oxide anode should be required for green hydrogen production. We focused on tantalum and molybdenum oxide-based electrocatalyst (TaOx and MoOx) and have studied its catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [3]. Moreover, TaOx with Mn addition showed much higher the OER activity than TaOx [4]. In this study, we have applied for MoOx with Mn addition for investigating the catalytic activity for the OER in acidic solution.Ti rod was used as substarate. MoOx was prepared by RF magnetron sputtering method. In the case of fabrication for Mn-MoOx, Mo metal piece for 40% surface area was set on the Mn disc as additional material. Each partial pressure of Ar and O2 gas was adjusted to 0.15 Pa in fabrication of Mn-MoOx. The substrate heating temperature was constant at 673 K during sputtering. We used conventional three electrode cell with each sample as working electrode while the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and carbon plate were used as reference and counter electrode to demonstrate the electrochemical measurement in 1 M H2SO4 solution with saturated nitrogen atmosphere at 303 K. Several samples were demonstrated pretreatment from 0.05 to 1.2 V vs. RHE before the measurement of OER. The slow scan voltammetry was performed from 1.2 to 2.0 V to evaluate the OER activity. We also carried out electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to obtain resistance components and semiconducting properties. In addition, samples before and after electrochemical measurement were analyzed by SEM-EDX and XPS.Figure 1 shows the Tafel plots of OER on Mo oxide-based electrocatalysts with and without Mn addition. The current density was based on geometric surface area. In the case of sample performing pretreatment, the Mn-MoOx with pretreatment (Mn-MoOx(Pre)) has obviously higher OER current than MoOx with pretreatment (MoOx(Pre)). Moreover, Mn-MoOx has higher OER current than Mn-MoOx(Pre), and the Tafel slope of OER on Mn-TaOx was 79 mV dec-1 the while the that on the Mn-MoOx(Pre) was 147 mV dec-1. From the results of EIS, the charge transfer resistance of Mn-MoOx was much smaller than that of Mn-MoOx(Pre) while the film resistance of was similar to that of Mn-MoOx(Pre). The results from SEM-EDX revealed that Mn amount in Mn-MoOx after the electrochemical measurement was constant compared to that before electrochemical measurement while Mn amount in Mn-MoOx(Pre) after electrochemical measurement was decreased compared to that before electrochemical measurement. From results from XPS analysis, Mn ratio in the Mn-MoOx after electrochemical measurement was constant compared to that before electrochemical measurement while Mn amount in Mn-MoOx(Pre) after electrochemical measurement was decreased compared to that before electrochemical measurement. Therefore, Mn species still remained on both surface and bulk in the case of Mn-MoOx while it was decreased in the case of Mn-MoOx(Pre). In Fig. 1, The peak over 1.5 V was detected from Tafel plots of both Mn-MoOx and Mn-MoOx(Pre). This peak corresponded to redox peak of Mn(III)/Mn(IV) [5], and it implied that Mn species affected on the OER activity. However, the electric charge of Mn(III)/Mn(IV) of Mn-MoOx was smaller than that of Mn-MnOx(Pre), and it is suggested that not only Mn oxide but also other species such as Mn-Mo compound oxide reacts as an active site of OER on Mn-MoOx.Acknowledgement: This work is partially supported by the Suzuki Foundation.Reference https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2021/1008_001.html Ota, A. Ishihara, K. Matsuzawa, and S. Mitsushima, Electrochemistry, 78, 970 (2010). Matsuzawa, S. Hirayama, K. Sumi, A. Ishihara, Abst. PRiME2020, I01F-2492, Online (2020). Matsuzawa, S. Hirayama, Y. Kohara, and A. Ishihara, ECS Trans, 104(8), 431 (2021).M. Morita, C. Iwakura, and H. Tamura, Electrochim. Acta, 24, 357 (1979). Figure 1

(Digital Presentation) Mo Added Zr Oxide-Based Thin Film for Oxygen Evolution Catalyst in Alkaline Solution

On Oct. 4, 2021, Hydrogen energy ministerial meeting (H2 EM 2021) was held by the ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) of Japanese government as online special event with cabinet members and officials from 29 countries, regions, and organizations. In the meeting, “Global Hydrogen Review 2021” and was released to propose the policy toward hydrogen-based society. In the open session, the water electrolysis was one of the main session, and participants shared their commitment to improve the performance of water electrolysis units and optimize the relevant systems with a view toward reducing the costs of “Green Hydrogen”, and exchanged views on topics including the future prospects for the “Green Hydrogen” market [1]. Here, “Green Hydrogen” is the hydrogen which is produced by the electricity from renewable energies introducing in our previous study [2].Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) has already commercialized all over the world and recently applied its system for the Power-to-Gas (PtG) in Europe and Japan such as Fukushima hydrogen energy research field (FH2R). In the FH2R, one of the largest module of AWE has operated from 2020. However, we found that the degradation of Ni anode occurs operating by variable renewable energy (VNE) from our previous report [3]. From this point of view, the alternative anode with high durability against VNE should be required for green hydrogen production. We focused on zirconium oxide-based electrocatalyst (ZrOx) and have studied its catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [4]. In this study, we have investigated the activity and durability of ZrOx with and without Mo addition for the OER in alkaline solution.Zr compound films were formed on Ti rods as a base material, using the R.F. magnetron sputtering. Gas atmosphere in the chamber was a mixture of Ar and O2 gas. After polishing and washing, the Ti rods were heated at 300 oC for Zr oxide-based film without any addition (ZrOx), and 350 oC for Zr oxide-based film with Mn addition (Mn-ZrOx). Sputtering power and sputtering time were fixed at 150 W and 20 min, respectively. All electrochemical measurements were carried out using a three-electrode cell at 30 oC in 7 M KOH. A reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a carbon plate were used as a reference and a counter electrode, respectively. ZrOx or Mo-ZrOx was used as working electrode. In order to evaluate the catalytic activity for the OER, slow scan voltammetry (SSV) was performed under N2 atmosphere. Current density (i geo) was based on the geometric surface area of the working electrode. The resistance of the film (R film) and charge transfer (R ct) was evaluated by AC impedance spectroscopic measurements in the frequency range from 105 to 10−1 Hz.Figure 1 shows polarization curves of ZrOx and Mo-ZrOx. The i geo for the OER on Mo-ZrOx has obviously larger than that of ZrOx. According to the cyclic voltammograms (CV) of both sample, the electric double layer (C dl) of Mo-ZrOx from CV was larger than that of ZrOx. This trend was similar to the result reported in previous study [5], and it is suggested that the C dl becomes larger by the effect of Mo addition. From the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), both ZrOx and Mo-ZrOx are n-type semiconductor. Moreover, the slope of Mott-Schottky plot on Mo-ZrOx was more gentle than that on ZrOx and it is suggested that the electric conductivity of Mo-ZrOx was larger than that of ZrOx. Thus, the reason why the i geo for the OER on Mo-ZrOx has larger than that of ZrOx is that both improvement of the increase of C dl and the electric conductivity of sample.Acknowledgement: This work is partially supported by Iketani Science and Technology Foundation.Reference[1] https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2021/1008_001.html[2] K. Ota, A. Ishihara, K. Matsuzawa, and S. Mitsushima, Electrochemistry, 78, 970 (2010).[3] H. Ichikawa, K. Matsuzawa, Y. Kohno, I. Nagashima, Y. Sunada, Y. Nishiki, A. Manabe, and S. Mitsushima, ECS Trans., 58(33), 9 (2014).[4] K. Matsuzawa, A. Ishihara, A. Ohshi, S. Mitsushima, and K. Ota, Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 267, 115112 (2020).[5] Y. Takasu, T. Ohnuma, W. Sugimoto, and Y. Murakami, Electrochemistry, 67, 1187 (1999). Figure 1

The Impact of Electric Bidet Diffusion on Municipal Water Infrastructure

Electric bidets have become widespread in Japan and are now rapidly being installed across the rest of Asia, the United States, and the European Union. However, the impact on water infrastructure has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. Using Japan as an example, we assess the impact of the spread of electric bidets on the existing water infrastructure and use the results to predict the impact in countries in which the spread of electric bidets is expected in the future. In this study, we first proposed a model of electric bidet use on the basis of the results of a questionnaire survey. In Japan, the frequency of electric bidet use is considered to be the same as that of toilet use, and this model is used by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in its official evaluation of equipment performance. However, in this survey, we found that 30–40% of respondents did not use electric bidets, even though they have become commonplace in Japan. The reason for this was a vague sense of anxiety about sanitation. Based on the results of the survey, the model for electric bidet use was set to once a day for men for flushing following defecation and once a day for women for either flushing following defecation or bidet flushing. This is considerably less frequent than the conventional Japanese electric bidet use model for women, which models for one flush following defecation and three flushes following urination. Japan’s Energy Conservation Law requires improved energy efficiency in 32 items of equipment, of which the electric bidet is one. Because of this regulation, the electricity consumption of electric bidets has decreased by one fourth in the past 10 years. When a new model representing actual usage was applied, the environmental impact of the electric bidets currently sold was shown to be minimal.

The Impact of Mn addition on Ta Oxide-Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acid

Hydrogen energy ministerial meeting (H2 EM 2020) was held on Oct. 14, 2020 by the ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) of Japanese government as online special event with cabinet members and officials from 23 countries, regions, and organizations. In the open session, presenter from industrial company of water electrolysis introduced to improve its technologies for producing hydrogen from renewable energies [1]. In our previous study, the hydrogen producing from renewable energies is called as “Green Hydrogen” [2].Polymer electrolyte water electrolysis (PEWE) has partly commercialized and recently applied its system for the Power-to-Gas (PtG). However, conventional anode is precious metal oxide such as IrO2 and the cost of raw material is expensive. Moreover, it is reported that the IrO₂ is afraid to cause the degradation operating by variable renewable energy (VRE) because the catalytic activity of oxygen evolution reaction became lower by potential cycling of VRE simulation [3]. From this point of view, the non-precious metal oxide anode with high durability against VRE should be required for green hydrogen production. We focused on tatanium oxide-based electrocatalyst (TaOx) and have studied its catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [4]. In this study, we have investigated the catalytic activity of TaOx with and Mn addition for the OER in acidic solution.Ti rod was used as substarate. TaOx was prepared by RF magnetron sputtering method. In the case of fabrication for Mn-TaOx, Ta metal piece for 60% surface area was set on the Mn disc as additional material. Each partial pressure of Ar and O2 gas was adjusted to 0.23 Pa in fabrication of Mn-TaOx. The substrate heating temperature was constant at 673 K during sputtering. We used conventional three electrode cell with each sample as working electrode while the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and carbon plate were used as reference and counter electrode to demonstrate the electrochemical measurement. In order to evaluate the OER activity of samples, the slow scan voltammetry was performed from 1.2 to 2.5 V vs. RHE in 1 M H2SO4 solution with saturated nitrogen atmosphere at 303 K. We also carried out electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to obtain resistance components and semiconducting properties.Figure 1 shows the polarization curve of OER on Ta oxide-based electrocatalysts with Mn addition. The results of Ti oxide-based electrocatalysts with Mo addition (Mo-TiOx) that is our past study [4] is also shown in this figure. The current density was based on geometric surface area. According to figure, the Mn-TaOx has obviously higher OER current than that on Mo-TiOx, and the Tafel slope of OER on Mn-TaOx was 105 mV dec-1 the while the that on the Mo-TiOx was 91 mV dec-1. The peak over 1.5 V was detected from polarization curve of Mn-TaOx in Fig. 1. This peak corresponded to Mn ion, and it suggests that Mn species affected on the OER activity while the amounts of Mn on the sample after electrochemical measurement showed below detection limit from XPS analysis. According to these results, the surface of Mn-TaOx was consisted of Ta oxide mainly with very few amount of Mn after electrochemical measurements. From the results of EIS, resistances of film and charge transfer on Mn-TaOx were lower than that of Mo-TiOx. In addition, the slope of Mott-Schottky plots on the Mn-TaOx was much gentle than that on the Mo-TiOx, and it means that the carrier concentration in Mn-TaOx was higher than that in Mo-TiOx. Therefore, the reason why the Mn-TaOx showed higher OER current than the Mo-TiOx is that both factors of electrical conductivity and catalytic activity were improved.Acknowledgement: This work is partially supported by Toyota Mobility Foundation and ENEOS Tonen General Research / Development Encouragement & Scholarship Foundation.Reference https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2020/1015_001.htmlK. Ota, A. Ishihara, K. Matsuzawa, and S. Mitsushima, Electrochemistry, 78, 970 (2010).S. M. Alia, and G. C. Anderson, J. Electrochem. Soc., 166, F282 (2019).K. Matsuzawa, S. Hirayama, K. Sumi, A. Ishihara, Abst. PRiME2020, I01F-2492, Online (2020). Figure 1

Activity and Durability of Titanium Oxide-Based Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Solution

On Oct. 14, 2020, Hydrogen energy ministerial meeting (H2 EM 2020) was held by the ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) of Japanese government as online special event with cabinet members and officials from 23 countries, regions, and organizations. In the meeting, “Global Action Agenda (GAA) Progress Report” was released as the chairman’s summary to share the progress of technical development for hydrogen-based society. In the open session, presenter from industrial company of water electrolysis introduced to improve its technologies for producing hydrogen from renewable energies [1]. In our previous study, the hydrogen producing from renewable energies is called as “Green Hydrogen” [2].Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) has already commercialized all over the world and recently applied its system for the Power-to-Gas (PtG) in Europe and Japan such as Fukushima hydrogen energy research field (FH2R). In the FH2R, one of the largest module of AWE has operated from 2020 and this module also introduced in GAA progress report as shown in above. However, it is reported that the degradation of Ni anode shows operating by variable renewable energy (VNE) [3]. From this point of view, the alternative anode with high durability against VNE should be required for green hydrogen production. We focused on titanium oxide-based electrocatalyst (TiOx) and have studied its catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [4-5]. In this study, we have investigated the activity and durability of TiOx with and without Ni addition for the OER in alkaline solution.Two types of TiOx with 1 mol% of Ni (Ni-TiOx as shown in the following section) and without addition were prepared under oxygen starvation atmosphere, and then formed as rod shape (φ = 5.0 mm, Toshima manufacturing Co., Ltd.). We used conventional three electrode cell with each sample as working electrode while the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and carbon plate were used as reference and counter electrode to demonstrate the electrochemical measurement. In order to evaluate the OER activity of samples, the slow scan voltammetry (SSV) was performed from 1.2 to 2.0 V vs. RHE in 7 M KOH at 303 K. In the case of durability evaluation, the acceleration degradation test (ADT) was demonstrated from 0 to 2.0 V under scan rate of 1 Vs-1 for 20000 cycle, and then SSV was performed as described in above to compared with initial OER activity.Figure 1 shows Tafel plots of OER on Ti oxide-based electrocatalysts. The results of initial Ni wire and TiOx are also shown in this figure. The current density was based on geometric surface area. According to Ni addition with very small amount, the catalytic activity for the OER on Ti oxide-based electrocatalyst has obviously enhanced, and the Tafel slope of initial OER on Ni-TiOx was 52 mV dec-1 the while the that on the TiOx and Ni wire were 180 and 47 mV dec-1. Moreover, the OER activity of Ni-TiOx after ADT has higher than that of initial Ni-TiOx, and Ni-TiOx does not show the degradation by ADT while the geometric current density at 1.6 V of TiOx after ADT for 5000 cycle was 10% lower than that before ADT. Above all, the Ni addition to Ti oxide based-electrocatalyst has improved for both the catalytic activity for the OER and the durability against VRE.Acknowledgement: This work is partially supported by Toyota Mobility Foundation.Reference https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2020/1015_001.htmlK. Ota, A. Ishihara, K. Matsuzawa, and S. Mitsushima, Electrochemistry, 78, 970 (2010).H. Ichikawa, K. Matsuzawa, Y. Kohno, I. Nagashima, Y. Sunada, Y. Nishiki, A. Manabe, and S. Mitsushima, ECS Trans., 58(33), 9 (2014).R. Suzuki, A. Ishihara, K. Ota and K. Matsuzawa, Abst. ECS 236th Meeting, Z01-2382, Atlanta, GA (2019).R. Suzuki, A. Ishihara, and K. Matsuzawa, Abst. PRiME 2020, Z01-3627, Online (2020). Figure 1

Capture and Compression Process of the Tomakomai Ccs Demonstration Project

The Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project was launched in April 2012 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), aiming for the practical use of CCS in Japan by around 2020. It required 4 years for EPC work of the demonstration facilities and CO2 injection was started on April 6, 2016. On November 22, 2019, the project achieved the target of 300,000 tonnes of cumulative injection and injection was terminated, whereas monitoring operations are being continued. Many important results were obtained through the demonstration, and those regarding capture and compression processes are summarized as follows: • The capture process of the Tomakomai demonstration consists of an absorber, a stripper and a low-pressure flash tower with the absorber having a dual function of bulk absorption (lower part) and lean absorption (upper part). This process configuration, called a two-stage absorption process, achieved an average amine reboiler heat of 0.9 GJ/t-CO2, which is 1/2 to 1/3 of a conventional one stage absorption process that ranges from 2 to 3 GJ/t-CO2. Furthermore, process simulation studies of an “innovative process layout” suggested that the amine reboiler heat could be reduced to 0.487 GJ/t-CO2, which is 1/4 to 1/6 of the conventional heat requirement. • The CO2 control system of two serial compressors which increases the pressure of captured CO2 up to 9.7 MPaG was able to achieve fully automatic control against periodic fluctuation of the CO2 flow rate after modification. The pressure of the captured CO2 (50 kPaG) upstream of the CO2 compressors could be stabilized; consequently, the CO2 flash of the low-pressure flash tower could also be stabilized, • It was verified that the pressure control of the captured CO2 is very important in maintaining the steady flash effect of the low-pressure flash tower and subsequent stable performance of the bulk absorption in the absorber. • The CO2 partial pressure of the absorber inlet was adjusted to conditions similar to those of a hydrogen production unit (HPU), ammonia production unit (APU) and integrated coal gasification combined cycle (Air Blown IGCC). The low amine reboiler heat obtained by the two-stage absorption process and the innovative process layout have the potential to be applicable to these processes, and greatly reduce the fuel cost as well as the corresponding avoided cost of CCS.

Geothermal Energy Use and Its Related Technology Development in Japan

Abstract Japan has national targets to intensify the geothermal power generation. The government gives several fiscal incentives for geothermal development and R&D through the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Beside short-termed target by 2030, Japan has a long-term target by 2050. Therefore, the R&D also has a short-term target to develop the conventional hydrothermal systems effectively with improved technologies and a long-term target to develop supercritical geothermal resources at a depth of volcanic region. The latter covers from basic scientific investigation to highly technological innovation. In contrast, ground source heat pump (GSHP) has been promoted by the private sectors supported mainly by the Ministry of Environment (MOE). A topical research work on the ground source heat pump in Japan is suitability mapping for both closed-loop and open-loop systems based on studies of groundwater flows. The detailed situation and research activities for both geothermal power generation and ground source heat pump will be discussed in this paper.

Overall Review of Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project ~Target of 300,000 tonnes CO2 injection achieved

The Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project is being conducted over a nine-year period from JFY* 2012 to 2020. The original plan comprised a four years construction, three years CO2 injection and two years post-injection monitoring period, aiming to establish CCS technology for practical use by around 2020. The main objectives and tasks of the project were; 1) demonstrate a full-chain CCS system from capture to storage, 2) demonstrate that the CCS system is safe and reliable, 3) remove concerns about earthquakes by the data collected (As Japan is an earthquake-prone country, removing concerns regarding earthquakes by establishing that natural earthquakes will not affect the CO2 stored, and conversely that the CO2 injection will not induce perceptible tremors is vital), 4) enhance the understanding of CCS through information disclosure and public engagement activities and, 5) acquire operational technology as well as strive towards practical implementation. The project achieved the following results. 1) The operation of a full chain CCS system from capture to storage was conducted successfully, and the target of 300,000 tonnes of CO2 injection was achieved in November 2019. 2) No micro-seismicity or natural earthquakes attributable to CO2 injection were detected in the vicinity of the injection area. 3) 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Earthquake of moment magnitude (Mw) 6.6 did not affect the CO2 stored. 4) The public outreach program has been largely successful, with no major opposition to the project. Information disclosure and diligent efforts to secure the understanding of local stakeholders were of utmost importance. As a future step, the Japanese government plans to implement a CCU demonstration project making efficient use of the Tomakomai facilities. JCCS is presently supporting a feasibility study being conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). (*JFY denotes April of calendar year to following March)

Injection wells of Tomakomai CCS demonstration project

The 1st large scale Carbon dioxide capture and storage（CCS）demonstration in Japan aiming for the practical application of CCS technology has been conducted by Japan CCS Co., Ltd.（JCCS）, commissioned by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry（METI）, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization（NEDO）.

Research on the TRM Kaizen Method for Governmental Organizations to Apply Technology Roadmapping as a Methodology to Achieve the Goals of Industrial Technology Policy

This article aims to introduce a case study of application and upgrading exercise of technology roadmapping to be introduced for the implementation of industrial science and technology policy. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) under the supervision of METI cooperated to develop and use technology roadmaps (TRM 1.0), which were conducted during 2005–2010. Based on this first attempt, we propose TRM Kaizen method to improve our methodology from the viewpoint of achieving the goals of industrial technology policy in a more effective and efficient way. Next, we extract the points to be reassessed in the technology roadmapping process based on our experiences of the application of the method. We consecutively propose an amendment, new technology roadmapping (TRM 2.0), with improvements to cope with the points mentioned above after 2014, and implement the technology roadmapping methodology for actual policy. Finally, the results of our practice are tested using TRM Kaizen method, and it is confirmed that issues of (TRM 1.0) have been almost fully resolved. The TRM Kaizen method illustrated in this article can be used as a practical methodology for more sophisticated technology roadmapping from the viewpoint of achieving the goals of industrial technology policy.

Assessment of Spatial Prediction Techniques Accuracy for Elevation Determination in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is a cooperative effort between NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), with the collaboration of scientific and industry organizations in both countries. The ASTER instrument provides a more robust remote sensing imaging capability when compared to the older Landsat Thematic Mapper. This paper deals with the accuracy assessment of elevation data obtained using ASTER from each of the eleven (11) selected extrapolation/interpolation algorithms: Inverse Distance Weighting, Natural Neighbor, Spline Regular, Spline Tension, Universal Kriging, Empirical Bayesian Kriging, Topo to Raster, global (trend surface), local polynomial, kernel interpolation with barriers and radial basis functions in Digital Elevation Model (DEM) surface creation. The data were compared with reference to ground control points of differential GPS measurements in the study area. The error statistics were generated between DGPS measurements and Extracted elevation data from each selected interpolation method. It was observed that Spline Regular Interpolation shown the best overall accuracy of ±11.520m when elevation data extracted from Inverse distance weighting, Natural Neighbour, Spline T, Topo to Raster, Universal Kriging, Empirical Bayesian kriging, Global polynomial interpolation (GPI), local polynomial interpolation (LPI), Radial basis function and Kernel interpolation of ±15.170, ±14.340, ±12.336, ±13.551, ±14.707, ±13.711, ±15.363, ±13.964, ±13.590 and ±15.376 respectively when compared with elevation values from GPS method. The study recommends capacity building in the form of workshop, training, and flexible integration of point elevation data to DEM.

Assessment of Spatial Prediction Techniques Accuracy for Elevation Determination in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is a cooperative effort between NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), with the collaboration of scientific and industry organizations in both countries. The ASTER instrument provides a more robust remote sensing imaging capability when compared to the older Landsat Thematic Mapper. This paper deals with the accuracy assessment of elevation data obtained using ASTER from each of the eleven (11) selected extrapolation/interpolation algorithms: Inverse Distance Weighting, Natural Neighbor, Spline Regular, Spline Tension, Universal Kriging, Empirical Bayesian Kriging, Topo to Raster, global (trend surface), local polynomial, kernel interpolation with barriers and radial basis functions in Digital Elevation Model (DEM) surface creation. The data were compared with reference to ground control points of differential GPS measurements in the study area. The error statistics were generated between DGPS measurements and Extracted elevation data from each selected interpolation method. It was observed that Spline Regular Interpolation shown the best overall accuracy of ±11.520m when elevation data extracted from Inverse distance weighting, Natural Neighbour, Spline T, Topo to Raster, Universal Kriging, Empirical Bayesian kriging, Global polynomial interpolation (GPI), local polynomial interpolation (LPI), Radial basis function and Kernel interpolation of ±15.170, ±14.340, ±12.336, ±13.551, ±14.707, ±13.711, ±15.363, ±13.964, ±13.590 and ±15.376 respectively when compared with elevation values from GPS method. The study recommends capacity building in the form of workshop, training, and flexible integration of point elevation data to DEM.

Providing the tools for EU-Japan industrial cooperation

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is a unique venture, co-managed and co-funded by the European Commission Directorate General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and the Japanese government under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and industry (METI). It is a non-profit organisation established in 1987 aimed at promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan and at improving EU and Japanese companies¡ competitiveness and cooperation by facilitating exchanges of experiences and know how between them.<br/> The Centre is also an operational instrument for implementing EU and Japan policy initiatives, building economic intelligence and helping our businesses access each other¡s market. The pace of the development of technologies is growing exponentially and universities and research centres play a pivotal role in this regard both in the EU and Japan. Europe and Japan should look to each other and send a signal to the world that the EU and Japan are committed to keeping the world economy working on the basis of open, fair and regulated markets. This article describes some of the tools offered by the Centre to promote and support cooperation between Japanese and EU companies

Post-political uncertainties: Governing nuclear controversies in post-Fukushima Japan.

This article examines a set of public controversies surrounding the role of nuclear power and the threat of radioactive contamination in a post-Fukushima Japan. The empirical case study focuses on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan's most influential ministry and, more importantly, the former regulator of nuclear energy before the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Through participant observation of METI's public conferences, as well as interviews with state and non-state actors, I examine how particular visions of nuclear power continue to affect the basis of expert authority through which state actors handle post-Fukushima controversies and their subsequent uncertainties. In its post-Fukushima representations, METI frames nuclear power as an apolitical necessity for the well-being of the Japanese nation-state and the common humanity. It does so by mobilizing categories of uncertainty around specific political scenes, such as global warming. For METI, the potential uncertainties linked with the abandonment of nuclear power have the power to trigger political turmoil of a higher scale than those linked with Fukushima's radioactive contamination. A form of double depoliticization takes place, in which the issue of Fukushima's radioactive contamination gets depoliticized through perceived priorities that are paradoxically depicted as 'post-political' - that is, in an urgent need for immediate action and not open to in-depth deliberation. I refer to this process as establishing 'post-political uncertainties'. This kind of depoliticization raises ethical questions surrounding meaningful public participation in decisions that happen at the intersection of politics and science and technology study.

Achievement for Pilot Test of Excavating and Ore Lifting Conducted for Seafloor Polymetallic Sulphides

Seafloor Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) is deep sea mineral that is confirmed to exist within Japanese exclusive economic zones and expected to develop as a new supply source for Japan. However, deep sea minerals including PMS have not been commercially developed so far, although various countries are eagerly working it. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) has been commissioned by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to conduct practical study on PMS for commercialization. As part of the efforts, JOGMEC implemented “Excavating and Ore-lifting Pilot Test” from the middle of August to end of September 2017. In the test, JOGMEC succeeded in consecutive lifting of ore and sea water in a state of solid-liquid flow from a depth of approximately 1,600m for the first time in the world. Through the test, it became clear that there are still many technical challenges left to be resolved for development of PMS such as improvement in durability of equipment, system optimization, adjustability of ore grain size and slurry concentration and so on. JOGMEC will continue efforts aimed at commercialization of PMS from a long-term perspective.