Special Interviews

National research institutes from various countries are participating in RD20, but in Japan, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has been in charge of the management of the project. On the other hand, there were strong expectations for participation not only from AIST but also from private research institutes. Based on his past participation, Mr. Takashi Shimazu, Director and Chief Research Officer of Toyota Central R&D Labs, has high expectations for RD20, as it is a valuable opportunity for representatives from research institutes representing G20 countries to discuss issues at the same table. We asked Mr. Shimazu about his company's carbon neutral research efforts and his expectations for RD20.

RD20 is an international research and development framework by major research institutes in the G20 countries and regions that develop cutting-edge technologies to achieve carbon neutrality. RD20 secretariat promotion team will deliver monthly articles introducing RD20 member institutions. The second issue will introduce the Japanese research institute NIMS.

RD20 is an international research and development framework by major research institutes in the G20 countries and regions that develop cutting-edge technologies to achieve carbon neutrality. RD20 secretariat promotion team will deliver monthly articles introducing RD20 member institutions. The first issue will introduce the French research institute CNRS.

The 6th RD20 (Research and Development 20 for Clean Energy Technologies) Conference will be held for the first time outside of Japan in New Delhi, India from December 2-6, 2024. New Delhi is home to The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India's central research institution. Last year's RD20 Conference was held in Fukushima. We talk to Dr. Hirohide FURUTANI, Director-General of the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute (FREA) at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), about efforts for this year’s RD20 Conference.