The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
Nikkei Business Innovation Forum: "Realizing a Future Society Starting with Next-Generation Energy - Sending messages to the world from the transforming LABO at the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai"
NIKKEI
This forum will focus on the methanation demonstration being carried out at the Expo site during the theme week of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, "The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week." This demonstration experiment is creating "e-methane" from food waste generated at the Expo site and carbon dioxide (CO₂) collected on-site. We will introduce the progress and future prospects of the experiment, and discuss the future of society together with young people.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Climate change
- Decarbonisation
- Hydrogen society
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese |
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Agenda2025
Participation Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.09.22[Mon]
14:00 ～ 15:45
(Venue Open 13:30)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
14:00 Lecture: "Energy Transitions for a Sustainable Future Society"
Yosuke Kuwahara, Senior General Manager, Carbon Neutrality Promotion Office, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
14:40 Lecture: "The Future of the Circular Economy from Transforming LABO"
Kota Yokoyama, Manager, CNM Development Team, Engineering Department, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
15:00 Talk Session: "Discussing the Future of Energy with the Next Generation"
Panelists： Yosuke Kuwahara and Kota Yokoyama
Kotomi Hori, Third-Year Student, Faculty of Engineering, Nara Women's University
Takumi Wakatsuki, Fourth-Year Student, Faculty of Economics, Kyoto Sangyo University
Aoi Sakashita, Third-Year Student, Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University
Coordinator: Saki Yagi, Freelance Announcer
15:45 Closing
Reports
【Reflection】
To achieve carbon neutrality in Japan, it is important to address thermal energy, which accounts for the majority of energy sources, which account for over 90% of CO₂ emissions. Osaka Gas Co., Ltd introduced its efforts to transition from coal and oil to natural gas, and then to decarbonized e-methane, including the progress of a demonstration project being carried out within the Expo site.
During the talk session, questions were raised by the younger generation about Osaka Gas's efforts and their opinions on how they would like to address future energy issues. Approximately 30 university and graduate students also attended the event, and there was an active Q&A session after the event concluded.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Going forward, together with the younger generation, we plan to continue to raise awareness of future energy issues and disseminate information widely in the pages of the Nikkei newspaper and on the Nikkei Inc.-operated website "NIKKEI Future Society Co-Creation ENGINE" (https://expo2025.nikkei.co.jp/).
Cast
Speakers
Yosuke Kuwahara
Senior General Manager, Carbon Neutrality Promotion Office, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
Joined Osaka Gas in 2000. Engaged in design work for new high-pressure gas pipeline construction within the Pipeline Division. From 2013, served as Business Development Team Manager in the Planning Department, Pipeline Business Division, responsible for new business development domestically and internationally. From 2018, served as Infrastructure Strategy Team Manager in the Planning Department, Corporate Planning Division, involved in formulating infrastructure and disaster prevention plans for the entire Daigas Group, including LNG terminal facility upgrades and earthquake countermeasures. Since April 2022, in the current position, responsible for formulating and promoting the basic policy for achieving the Daigas Group's 2050 carbon neutrality goal. Primarily engaged in the social implementation of e-methane, aiming for the carbon neutrality of city gas energy.
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Kota Yokoyama
Manager, CNM Development Team, Engineering Department, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
Joined Osaka Gas in 1997. Engaged in technological development of methane sensors and catalytic processes within the Technology Development Department. From 2017, served as Process Technology Team Manager in the Engineering Department, responsible for technological development and commercialization of technologies such as biogas purification and hydrogen production. Launched the large-scale Sabatier methanation demonstration in Nagaoka and the methanation demonstration at the Expo. From 2022, served as Manager of the Carbon Neutral Methane Development Team in the same department, managing two demonstration projects. Engaged in technological development and societal implementation toward achieving carbon neutrality for city gas.
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Kotomi Hori
Third-Year Student, Faculty of Engineering, Nara Women's University
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Takumi Wakatsuki
Fourth-Year Student, Faculty of Economics, Kyoto Sangyo University
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Aoi Sakashita
Third-Year Student, Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University
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Saki Yagi
Freelance Announcer
After working as an announcer at Mainichi Broadcasting System and as a news anchor for Nippon TV's “NEWS ZERO,” she has delivered news reports, interviewed numerous politicians, celebrities, and Hollywood actors, conducted domestic and international reporting, and made frequent media appearances. She also gives lectures on communication and women's empowerment. Visiting Professor at Osaka Institute of Technology.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
Nikkei Business Innovation Forum: "Realizing a Future Society Starting with Next-Generation Energy - Sending messages to the world from the transforming LABO at the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai"
This forum will focus on the methanation demonstration being carried out at the Expo site during the theme week of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, "The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week." This demonstration experiment is creating "e-methane" from food waste generated at the Expo site and carbon dioxide (CO₂) collected on-site. We will introduce the progress and future prospects of the experiment, and discuss the future of society together with young people.
-
2025.09.22[Mon]
14:00～15:45
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
