(Supported by the Japan Society on Water Environment "Future Vision Fund")
Technological innovation in water and wastewater treatment is accelerating globally. However, compared to international benchmarks, the social implementation of new technologies in Japan remains significantly delayed.
In an era of rapid population decline, can we afford to rely solely on legacy practices and established technologies? Without a strategic shift, Japan risks falling behind as a mere importer of foreign innovation.
What accounts for this profound disparity in implementation speed between Japan and the global community?
This seminar will examine unique case studies of rapid social implementation from across the globe. We seek to share a sense of urgency—that "at this rate, the Japanese water industry will be sidelined from the global stage"—and provide a platform to analyze the barriers within Japan and the catalysts driving progress abroad.
Simultaneous interpretation is available, and admission is free. We look forward to your participation.
Professor
Hokkaido University
Katsuki Kimura

*Registration will close once the venue capacity is reached. Please register early.
*Please bring your own smartphone/laptop and earphones.
We will hold a public viewing of the World Cup: Japan vs. Tunisia match starting at 13:00 on the same day at the same venue. You can enjoy this crucial match without missing the seminar. All are welcome! (No registration is required for the public viewing.)
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Remarks / Introduction | Katsuki Kimura (Hokkaido University) |
|
| Guest Address | Yasuhide Honda (Councillor, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) |
|
| Case Study 1:Development and Dissemination of Innovative Sewerage Technologies in Japan: A challenge through Industry-government-academia Collaboration | Taku Fujiwara (Kyoto University) |
|
| Case Study 2:Facile shift of MBR from lab- to field-scale: Case study of Korea | Seoktae Kang (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) |
|
| (Break) | ||
| Case Study 3:Passive Membrane Filtration – from concept to implementation at full-scale | Pierre Bérubé (University of British Columbia) |
|
| Case Study 4:Science and Practice: Accelerating Technology Transfer in Water and Membrane Treatment | Emile Cornelissen (KWR/Ghent University) |
|
| Panel Discussion | All Speakers | |
| Closing |