Waseda University and BASC Launch Collaborative Course 'Introduction to the Battery Industry' to Foster Battery Talent through Academia-Government-Industry Partnership

Waseda University (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Aiji Tanaka) and the Battery Association for Supply Chain (hereinafter, BASC; Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Hiroaki Koda) will launch a collaborative course titled "Introduction to the Battery Industry ~Considering the Future of Japan's Battery Industry~" from April 2026, with the aim of fostering human resources to support the rapidly growing battery industry. This course is an advanced educational model based on collaboration among academia (Waseda University), government (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and industry (BASC). It aims to systematically teach everything from basic to cutting-edge storage battery technology, as well as the battery industry and business domains, to cultivate human resources who will lead the future of Japan's battery industry. Towards the realization of a decarbonized society by 2050, batteries are increasing in importance as key devices supporting the electrification of vehicles and the spread of renewable energy. This course is a continuation of a highly acclaimed collaborative course that was launched in the 2025 academic year and received high evaluations from participating students and the industry. The curriculum will feature experts from leading companies and institutions in the battery industry from academia, government, and industry as guest speakers. It will offer intellectually stimulating content that allows students to gain a comprehensive overview of the broad battery supply chain, from the latest trends in battery business to resources, manufacturing, and recycling, and to deeply explore initiatives for building a circular economy. Through this course, we hope that students will recognize the affinity between the battery industry and their own specialized fields and deepen their interest. Waseda University declared the "Waseda Carbon Net Zero Challenge" in 2021 and is working across the entire university to realize a carbon-neutral society, including cutting-edge research and human resource development contributing to carbon neutrality. In 2022, the "Carbon Neutral Society Research and Education Center" was established, promoting joint research under comprehensive agreements with many companies. Furthermore, from the 2022 academic year, a "Carbon Neutral Leader" program was introduced as an undergraduate minor, and from the 2024 academic year, a minor contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society was also introduced at the graduate school, offering numerous collaborative courses with companies. Against the backdrop of these achievements and the enhancement of the university's internal system, this course has been established again, following the previous year. BASC established the "Battery Advanced Talent Outreach Network (hereinafter, BATON)" in October 2025, with the aim of contributing to human resource development by expanding diverse learning opportunities through industry-academia-government collaboration, strengthening the competitiveness of Japan's storage battery and related industries, and connecting a carbon-neutral future to the next generation. BASC co-manages the secretariat with the Battery Association of Japan (BAJ). Going forward, BASC aims to expand the educational model established at Waseda University to universities and educational institutions nationwide through BATON. We hope to increase the interest of many students in the battery industry and, by fostering next-generation battery talent, improve the competitiveness of the entire battery supply chain and boost the overall Japanese battery industry. ### Overview of "Introduction to the Battery Industry ~Considering the Future of Japan's Battery Industry~" **Course Schedule:** April 16 to May 28, 2026 (7 sessions in total), every Thursday, 5th period **Location:** Waseda University Nishi-Waseda Campus **Target Audience:** Waseda University Graduate School, Master's 1st year (4th-year undergraduates can also take it in advance) **Lecturers:** Waseda University (Professor Chiaki Sho, Professor Masashi Okubo), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, BASC and member companies (9 organizations in total) **Program Content:** As follows: # Date Content Lecturer