
Japan to Assist in Achieving International Standardization for Specialist Areas; Solar, Sectors Include Solar, Hydrogen Technologies
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry will help key five sectors, such as perovskite solar cells, to achieve international standardization as part of efforts to help their competitiveness in cutting-edge technologies, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
In addition to perovskite solar cells, the ministry has named four sectors that Japan is seen to excel in: quantum, hydrogen and ammonia, bio-manufacturing and data linkage platforms. It has designated these areas as priorities to achieve standardization and will promote their development through partnerships with the private sector.
It will be the first time for the government to promote the standardization of specific areas. The ministry plans to formulate a national strategy on international standards by June.
International standards are decided by the International Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical Commission and consist of specifications regarding products and technologies, including testing methods. Common examples include QR codes as well as R14 and R6 dry cell batteries. The standards ensure that products and service are compatible and safe to use and contribute to future technological development.
If Japan can push international standards in specific fields, it will help to gain the upper hand in overseas markets. The ministry will head efforts to set up specialized human resources for the development of the strategy and rules, and will promote the development and utilization of the standards.
Perovskite solar cells were developed in Japan and have been positioned as a game changer for the future expansion of renewable energy. Sekisui Chemical Co. has been working to mass-produce light and bendable film-type perovskite solar cells, while Panasonic Holdings Corp. has been developing perovskite glass panels which can be used for construction.
Global competition is also intensifying in the development of quantum computers, which may outperform supercomputers in performance.
All these fields are expected to see a rise in demand globally and are becoming increasingly important from the viewpoint of economic security. While Japan has led efforts for international standardization through private-sector initiatives, the United States, China and some European nations have already pushed forward with such efforts as a national strategy.
The Japanese government is set to cultivate relevant expertise in the five priority areas and apply it to other fields.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

15 minutes ago
Ishiba, S. Korea's Lee Agree to Develop Stable Ties
News from Japan Jun 9, 2025 16:21 (JST) Tokyo, June 9 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed Monday to develop stable relations between their countries. During their 25-minute phone talks, Ishiba and Lee affirmed the importance of cooperation between their countries and between the two plus the United States. They shared hopes to meet in person soon. Ishiba congratulated Lee on assuming the presidency, and noted that he hopes to further advance Japan-South Korea relations based on the foundation that the two governments have built. The Japanese leader also expressed his eagerness to cooperate with Lee in dealing with North Korea, including the issue of Japanese abductees in the reclusive country. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press

18 minutes ago
Foreign Students in Japan Hit New Record in 2024
A study conducted by the Japan Student Services Organization, an independent administrative agency, found that there were 336,708 foreign students in Japan as of May 1, 2024, up 21% from the previous year. This was higher than in 2019, before the pandemic, and set a new record. The weak yen is thought to have encouraged more young people to choose to study in Japan. The number of foreign students in Japan rose steadily from 2013, reaching 312,000 in 2019. After falling during the pandemic, it started rising again in 2023. The 2024 figure includes a record 107,241 students enrolled in Japanese language schools. There were 229,467 at higher education institutions, of which 91,192 were undergraduates at universities or studying at junior colleges or colleges of technology ( kōtō senmon gakkō ), while 76,402 were at vocational colleges ( senmon gakkō ) and 58,215 were postgraduate students. An overwhelming 92.5% of students (311,566) were from Asia, ahead of 4.0% from Europe (13,312), and 1.3% from North America (4,516). The top country or region of origin was China, accounting for 36.7% of the total, with 123,485 students. It was followed by Nepal with 19.2% (64,816), Vietnam with 12.0% (40,323), Myanmar with 4.9% (16,596), South Korea with 4.3% (14,579), Sri Lanka with 3.6% (12,269), and Taiwan with 2.3% (7,655). The number of students from Nepal rose by more than 26,000 year on year. Overall, 55.3% of students were male and 44.6% female. Waseda University had the highest number of foreign students at 5,562, followed by the University of Tokyo with 4,793, Ritsumeikan University with 3,258, Kyoto University with 2,791, and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University with 2,776. (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)


Yomiuri Shimbun
22 minutes ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Prime Minister Speaks With New South Korean Leader; Phone Call Represents First Talks Since Lee's Election
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held telephone talks with new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for about 25 minutes on Monday. It was the first conversation between the two since Lee was elected president. They are believed to have confirmed that Japan, the United States and South Korea need to cooperate in diplomatic and security fields, according to diplomatic sources.