On Sunday, August 9th, 2015, the 11th conference of Japan Society for Science Policy and Research Management, Kyushu/Chugoku Branch (Branch Chief: Akiya Nagata) was held in the Building of School of Economics on Kyushu University Ito Campus.

In this conference with the theme of “hydrogen energy and local revitalization,” the Science Technology Innovation Policies Unit gave a research report. In this conference with approx. 20 in attendance from local governments, businesses, and universities, we shared information on our new efforts toward achieving hydrogen society.

In the beginning, a representative from the Fukuoka City Environmental Bureau’s energy policy department introduced the city’s activities that utilize renewable energy. We gained insight on Fukuoka City’s efforts toward achieving a hydrogen society with proposals on future renewable energy plans, being the most energy-consuming city in Kyushu.

From the Science Technology Innovation Policies Unit, Professor Akiya Nagata, Associate Professor Toshiya Kobayashi, and Academic Researcher Yoshimasa Nishigama gave a research report entitled “Challenges Associated with Practical Implementation of Hydrogen Energy: Efforts being made at ‘Center for Co-Evolutional Social Systems’, Kyushu University”. The report detailed the roles of the Center for Co-Evolutional Social Systems and the Unit, as well as general challenges associated with technology to put hydrogen energy to practice, followed by results related to a large-scale survey on practicing science communication and social receptivity.

According to the results, although a subsidy is applicable for fuel cell vehicles, their high cost keeps them from becoming common, and that the lack of hydrogen stations, are the main reasons why consumers prefer automobiles over fuel cell vehicles. The Science Technology Innovation Policies Unit will continue to arrange recommendations regarding challenges associated with practical implementation.