Reverse Pitches by Asian cities / Pitches by Japanese businesses -Business matching to solve urban issues-
GREEN STAGE10:40-12:00 English & Japanese
Asian markets are experiencing remarkable economic growth. Although many Japanese companies are interested in this market, Asian cities are facing growing needs for urban problem solutions due to rapid urbanization and population concentration in urban areas.
Focusing on fields such as decarbonization, infrastructure and energy conservation, this session aims to address solutions for common urban issues. Several Asian cities will present their own urban problems and Japanese companies will offer solutions and ideas. In addition, the OECD will analyze Yokohama's decarbonization efforts in order to share experiences and knowledge with other cities, while promoting decarbonization.
The creation of decarbonization innovation through the use of next-generation energy
GREEN STAGE13:10-13:55
To achieve carbon neutrality, it is expected that energy conservation and the use of renewable energy will be promoted, as well as the utilization of next-generation energy sources such as hydrogen and the creation of new decarbonization innovations.
In the City of Yokohama, research, development and testing related to next-generation energies such as hydrogen, ammonia, and e-methane are being conducted mainly in the waterfront area, where energy-related industries, manufacturing, logistics, etc. are concentrated.
In the last fiscal year, the Yokohama Decarbonization Innovation Council was established. Consisting of a diverse range of local companies, organizations, and academic experts, it aims to promote collaboration in the research and development of advanced technologies that will contribute to the creation of demand for next-generation energies, the expansion of energy supplies and to decarbonization. In this session, Council member companies will share advanced technologies and knowledge.
Ports are increasingly integrating renewable energies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning from diesel-powered machinery to electric alternatives, significantly cutting emissions. Digitalization and automation play a critical role, enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, green port initiatives involve constructing eco-friendly buildings, installing energy-efficient lighting, and developing green spaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Port cities are important in the global fight against climate change, while fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life. However, building resilient and environmentally sustainable port cities requires collaborative efforts among governments, private sectors, and international organizations. Moreover, financial investments in green technologies and infrastructure are crucial to support these initiatives. This session will showcase solutions and good practices for decarbonizing ports and port cities and discuss policy recommendations.
Are EVs Really Practical - Thinking about Mobility 2030
GREEN STAGE14:05-14:50 Japanese
The automotive industry is at a major turning point amid global efforts to decarbonize the industry. The development of electric vehicles (EVs) has expanded the range of options available, and the global EV penetration rate is increasing.
In Japan, the share of EV sales is growing, especially for personal cars, and there is also a need to expand the introduction of chargers, which are ancillary infrastructure. At the same time, commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, which are used more for hard use than personal cars, have not been converted to EVs, and this poses a challenge for EV adoption in the mobility field as a whole.
In this session, we will discuss the potential of EVs, including the latest trends in global mobility as well as corporate initiatives in the EV infrastructure field.
Presentation of Joint Proposal on Urban Challenges by University Students from Yokohama and Abroad: Resilience in Informal Settlements
GREEN STAGE15:00-16:00 English
Yokohama City University (YCU) has continuously participated in the Asia Smart City Conference organized by the City of Yokohama. In this session, YCU students will present the results of their joint proposal on urban solution strategy with Southeast Asian universities, which was conducted at the IACSC (International Academic Consortium for Sustainable Cities) established by YCU in September 2009. This summer (2024), YCU students had collaborated with IACSC members: University of the Philippines, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Hasanuddin University in Indonesia, to conduct a workshop at the University of the Philippines Diliman on the theme of building resilient and safe communities in informal settlements with high disaster risk. In this session, based on the outcomes of the workshop, participating students will present their insights and proposals on resilience in informal settlements for sustainable development and city growth.
In the Front Lines - Climate Solutions and Way Forward-
BLUE STAGE15:30-17:00 English
As climate change becomes a pressing issue on a global scale, the perspective of Climate Solutions, including mitigation and adaptation measures to global warming, is essential for Asian cities to balance growth with solutions to urban issues and to promote sustainable urban development.
At last year's 12th Asia Smart Cities Conference, 44 cities and government agencies participated in a joint declaration on decarbonization. We are now moving into a phase where we can share visions and knowledge for a sustainable and green society, and work together on concrete actions.
In this session, under the theme of “Green Hub in Asia,” JICA will review the role that ODA has played in the 70th anniversary year of international cooperation and introduce JICA's efforts to further promote international cooperation in the future.
Cities, businesses, and government agencies will then discuss challenges and solutions due to climate change, and serve as a starting point for acting together toward the realization of a sustainable green society.
Designing an Urban Environment to Enhance Citizens’ Well-Being
GREEN STAGE16:15-17:15 Japanese
As Japan's smart city projects progress into the implementation phase, it is crucial that efforts in smart cities and urban design extend beyond the mere application of technology to actively enhance citizens' well-being. To better visualize the impact of these policies, the Smart City Institute has developed the Livable Well-being City Indicators, providing open access to well-being data for citizens across Japan, including Yokohama. Additionally, last year we started a collaboration with Yokohama City University to explore a critical aspect of well-being, particularly for young people: “challenges of life”, which we believe are influenced by both physical and virtual environment. How urban and virtual spaces affect well-being is a topic of growing interest internationally. In this session, we will discuss the role of public and cyber spaces in enhancing citizens' well-being, drawing on examples from Yokohama and South Korea.
