Green Society
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The Economist
Japan's green future
As Japan aims for a carbon-free future by 2050, government support is spurring the development of innovations that will provide global solutions to tackle climate change.
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YouTube
Japan’s Green Actions for Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Local governments in Japan are striving to achieve the country's 2050 Carbon Neutral Declaration. Discover how they are taking advantage of local resources to start up various initiatives.
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KIZUNA
Japan’s Green Innovations for Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Japan will forge ahead with innovative research and development to solve global environmental problems.
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NIKKEI Asia
The local paths to net zero
In October 2020, Japan’s Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide set out a bold vision for the country: to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Decarbonizing Japan will not be an easy undertaking.
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Reuters
Second Lives for EV Batteries
On October 9, YOSHINO Akira from Japan was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries, alongside American John Goodenough and Briton Stanley Whittingham. “Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized our lives and are used in everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles…this year’s chemistry laureates have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society,” said the Nobel Committee.
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We are Tomodachi
Giant Leap Towards a Hydrogen Society
The world is looking towards hydrogen as a next-generation clean energy source. In Japan, the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field was completed in March 2020. With the start-up of the world’s largest hydrogen production facility, a giant leap towards the realization of a hydrogen society has been made.
Environmental Conservation
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National Geographic
Japan: Saving species in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots
Japan is one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, places where an exceptional number of unique species are surviving under the threat of extinction. It’s a responsibility that Japan is rising to.
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YouTube
Ideas for sustainable farming from Japan
In Laos, a Japanese company is starting up coffee farms with local partners and helping distribute coffee beans. They encourage farmers to cultivate coffee plants in the shade of tall trees. This improves the quality of the coffee beans while protecting forests.
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We are Tomodachi
Controlling Wildfires with Japanese Eco-Friendly Technology
Wildfires raging in the tropical rainforests of South America pose a serious problem. Now, a Japanese company, working with naturally-sourced soap, has developed an eco-friendly soap-based foam to fight fires. Field trials against wildfires are giving promising results.
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We are Tomodachi
Satellite Radar Technology Helps Protect Forests
The long-term rise in atmospheric and ocean temperatures has become a serious issue, triggering climate changes over the entire earth.
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YouTube
Environmental Conservation in Fiji
Pacific island nations such as Fiji are directly affected by climate change in the form of coastal erosion and sea level inundation. Japan is tackling issues on climate change adaptation with the international community.
Realizing a Circular Economy
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KIZUNA
Plant-Derived Material Will Change the Future of Automobiles
Lightweight and super-strong, cellulose nanofiber is an innovative material based on cellulose—a renewable resource from trees and plants—promising a wide spectrum of potential applications in various fields, including the automobile industry.
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We are Tomodachi
Wood and Paper Surpass Plastic
Japanese companies are addressing the global issue of plastic waste with traditional techniques, novel ideas, and a strong desire to help bring about a sustainable, recycling-oriented society
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YouTube
Japan's Plastic Litter Solution
Marine Plastic Litter is gaining wider attention than ever before.Japan has long developed plastic alternative that reduce the dependence to fossil fuels. A Japanese chemical company, Kaneka, for instance, has developed a biodegradable alternative, which is made from 100% plant oil.
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We are Tomodachi
A Milestone Project in Dhaka
After more than 15 years of combating the serious waste problem in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a Japanese team of experts has succeeded in changing local attitudes
Pioneers for Sustainable Society
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Quartz
A Japanese startup is weaving tradition with tech for a more sustainable fashion future
With headlines everywhere focusing on disposable plastics and air travel emissions, it’s clear that our individual, everyday purchasing choices—from what we eat to how we get around—impact the world around us. But how about what we wear?
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We are Tomodachi
Innovating Paper to Reduce Plastic Waste
New eco-friendly paper materials have been created through passion and time-tested technology. The papers will help people achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lead to reduce plastic waste.
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Bloomberg
The Future of 3D Garment Production
Every year, around 15% of the fabric that the fashion industry uses is wasted, but an innovative Japanese manufacturing company is changing that with its new knitting machines.
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Bloomberg
Japanese Fibers Inspired by Spider Silk
Protein materials found in nature possess many exciting properties, but their production costs have always been too prohibitive to justify commercialization.
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Bloomberg
The Wind-Powered Factory That’s Making Textiles Sustainable
A small but innovative company in the Japanese town of Imabari, famous for its towel industry, is revolutionizing the textiles industry with a holistic, eco-conscious production process.
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We are Tomodachi
Young Innovative Scientist Tackles Climate Change
Inventor of a suitcase-shaped device that collects CO2 from the atmosphere, 19-year-old Japanese scientist MURAKI Kazumi’s ambition is to research ways to stem global warming and generate energy from CO2
Tackling Marine Plastic Waste
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We are Tomodachi
Unite and Fight Against Ocean Waste
Early in the morning, surfers arrive one after another to an empty beach as the waves lap the shore. But instead of surfboards, they are carrying large trash bags. With practiced motions, they then collect the garbage scattered across the beach: empty cans, plastic bottles, and fishing nets. The surfers’ bags soon fill up, mainly with plastic trash.
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We are Tomodachi
Pursuit of Clean Oceans Driven by Locals in Ishikawa
Ishikawa Prefecture, which faces the Sea of Japan, has prospered notably since the Edo Period (1603-1867) thanks to one of the country’s most prominent castle towns, which also has been a center of culture and the arts. Today that city is Kanazawa, the prefectural capital, which is home to several tourist attractions that hark back to that history.
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We are Tomodachi
"Port of Humanity" Tackling Ocean Waste
The Tsuruga Bay in Fukui Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan to the north, with mountains in every other direction. Located deep in the bay, the Port of Tsuruga has thrived since long ago as a gateway to mainland Asia.
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We are Tomodachi
Protect the “Singing Sands”from Ocean Waste
A beach of pure white sand extending for as far as the eye can see... Such a landscape is one fine example of particularly Japanese natural scenery.
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We are Tomodachi
Islands of Abundant Nature Spoiled by Ocean Waste
Situated in the Sea of Japan and wedged between the Kyushu region of southwestern Japan and the Korean Peninsula, Tsushima is a group of islands with a resident population of 30,000 people.
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We are Tomodachi
Coastal Cleanup by People Embracing the Sea
Located beside the Sea of Japan, Fukui Prefecture is known for its crystal-clear ocean water. However, large volumes of ocean debris are washing up along this beautiful coastline. In response, local citizens are making admirable efforts to protect the ocean.
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We are Tomodachi
Reclaiming the Most Beautiful Bay in the World
A report on the situation of marine litter in coastal areas of the Sea of Japan, and the local community activities to protect the beautiful ocean