IRuniverse hosted The 13th Battery Summit in Tokyo, which opened on the 17th for a two-day program at Bellesalle Onarimon Tower. Held continuously since 2017, this year’s summit expands its focus beyond battery metals to include critical materials such as copper, examining resource policies and critical materials market trends in various countries from the perspective of economic security amid rising international tensions. The event is set to feature analysis and commentary from leading experts and industry players, with government officials knowledgeable in economic security also scheduled to speak. Around 200 people attended on the first day, and despite the lingering spring cold, the atmosphere inside the venue was highly energetic.
On the 17th, after opening remarks from Yuji Tanamachi, who said, “This year we have two full days, so please enjoy the program at a relaxed pace,” a welcome address was delivered on behalf of the guests by Shigeo Nakamura, often referred to as the “Rare Metal King.” Reflecting on the past, he noted that rare metals “received little attention in Japan during the 1970s, and even bankers asked whether they truly had value.” He then stressed that today such materials can no longer be ignored because of demand driven by AI-related applications and that competition for resources will continue in the future. Under those global conditions, he emphasized that human relationships and trust are essential, adding that in a world where technological capability and culture both matter, placing the highest value on trust will become increasingly important.
At the venue, presentations were held simultaneously across the 3rd and 4th floors under two separate themes: “Battery Application 1” and “Resource & Policy × Critical Material.” The Battery Application 1 session was moderated by S&P Global Price Reporter Louissa Liau and Katsuhiro Nagayama, technical advisor to the external expert committee of the NEDO Leading Research Program. The Resource & Policy × Critical Material session was moderated by Yukiaki Harada, representative director of the Sustainability Technology Design Organization and honorary researcher at National Institute for Materials Science.
Including question-and-answer sessions, a total of 14 presentations by specialists, researchers, and business professionals actively engaged in the field continued until the evening, bringing the first part of the summit to a close.
Each session, held across the 3rd and 4th floors, drew strong engagement and lively discussion.
At the networking reception that followed in a separate venue, representatives from REPT BATTERO Energy Co., Ltd.—a Tier 1 Chinese battery manufacturer under Tsingshan Holding Group—and Hanwa Co., Ltd. each gave remarks and introduced REPT’s stationary energy storage battery systems. Hanwa had announced on the 9th that it had become an official distributor of REPT products in the Japanese market.
Related article: 阪和興業、REPT BATTERO と販売代理店契約を締結―定置型蓄電池分野に本格参入 (Hanwa signs distribution agreement with REPT BATTERO, making a full-scale entry into the stationary energy storage battery sector.)
At the networking reception, which continued at a different venue, Yasutoshi Nishimura attended as a guest and delivered remarks. He stated, “Whoever controls batteries controls electricity, energy, and ultimately the world,” and concluded the gathering by leading the toast with the call, “Battery!”
(Original Article by IRuniverse G・Mochizuki and Translated by Rohini Basunde)
