Focal Point on the Sustainable Development Goals in Japan

Japan has made strides on some Sustainable Development Goals, but in other areas it needs to hit the accelerator. Scientists, universities and companies have some smart solutions.

Researchers are making progress toward transparent solar cells for windows and walls, clean hydrogen energy and plant-based bioplastics.

Using artificial intelligence to process drone images is allowing researchers to tackle plastic pollution in the ocean in new ways.

Revealing a sensitive germination receptor in parasitic plants brings researchers closer to eradicating a major source of African crop damage and food insecurity.

Tackling challenging composite materials will help meaningfully expand recycling industries.

Researchers are seeking more sustainable versions of existing fuels, including ammonia, for a staged transition to carbon neutral energy production.

The challenge of achieving carbon neutrality spans many aspects of society, so it is fitting that research tackling the problem does too.

Modifying levels of salt in both processed and home-cooked food is crucial for setting a path towards healthier eating and increased longevity.

Treading lightly on the Earth means looking deeply at the entire lifecycle of sneakers and coming up with sustainability solutions.

As the world overhauls its systems en route to sustainability, financial institutions are a vital link between capital and crucial projects working towards a better future.

Innovative solutions are empowering progress toward sustainability, exemplified by a Japanese company improving its operations around forestry, cotton production and energy.

The conversion of mountains of plastic waste into oil, and new products, could help address gaps in Japan’s recycling efforts.

A new, super-efficient emulsion separation process could help address a looming shortage of rare metals, which threatens to impact high tech industries and affect the availability of electric cars.

Long used as a fertilizer, ammonia has potential as a sustainable fuel that could help the shipping industry cut its carbon emissions.