Waseda University and BASC Launch Collaborative Course 'Introduction to the Battery Industry' to Foster Battery Talent

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, 'Introduction to the Battery Industry ~Considering the Future of Japan's Battery Industry~,' starting in April 2026. This course aims to foster human resources to support the rapidly growing battery industry. As an advanced educational model based on collaboration among academia (Waseda University), government (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and industry (BASC), it seeks to systematically teach everything from fundamental to cutting-edge storage battery technologies, as well as the battery industry and business domains, to cultivate individuals who will lead the future of Japan's battery industry.

Towards the realization of a decarbonized society by 2050, batteries are increasingly important as key devices supporting vehicle electrification and the widespread adoption of renewable energy. This course is a continuation of a highly acclaimed collaborative course launched in the 2025 academic year, which 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 provide intellectually stimulating content that offers an overview of the broad battery supply chain, from the latest trends in battery business to resources, manufacturing, and recycling, and deeply explores initiatives for building a circular economy. Through this course, we hope students will recognize the affinity between the battery industry and their own specialized fields and deepen their interest.

Waseda University issued the 'Waseda Carbon Net Zero Challenge' declaration in 2021 and is working towards the realization of a carbon-neutral society with a university-wide system, 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, the 'Carbon Neutral Leader' minor program was introduced for undergraduate students, and from the 2024 academic year, a minor contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society was also introduced for graduate students, with 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.

In October 2025, BASC established the 'Battery Advanced Talent Outreach Network (hereinafter, BATON)' 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 the next generation of battery talent, improve the competitiveness of the entire battery supply chain and elevate Japan's overall battery industry.

Overview of "Introduction to the Battery Industry ~Considering the Future of Japan's Battery Industry~"

Course Schedule: April 16 - May 28, 2026 (7 sessions in total) Every Thursday, 5th period

Location: Waseda University Nishi-Waseda Campus

Target Audience: Waseda University Graduate School, first-year master's students in the Faculty of Science and Engineering (early enrollment by fourth-year undergraduates is also possible)

Instructors: Waseda University (Professor Chiharu Tokoro, Professor Masashi Okubo), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, BASC and member companies (9 organizations in total)

Program Content: As follows

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Date

Theme

Instructor

1

April 16

Keynote speech by government officials

(National strategy for the battery industry)

Business overview (industrial structure, etc.)

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

BASC

2

April 23

Digital technology supporting battery manufacturing

Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.

iCAD Co., Ltd.

3

What are high-quality, high-safety batteries?

Mechanism/system development and production technology

Toyota Battery Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.

4

May 7

Battery design and evaluation analysis

GS Yuasa Corporation

Kobelco Research Institute, Inc.

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.

5

May 14

Battery materials

Central Glass Co., Ltd.

6

May 21

Battery recycling

Next-generation battery research

Waseda University

7

May 28

Japanese battery leaders speak and summarize

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.

Contact for inquiries regarding this matter

Battery Association for Supply Chain (BASC): press@basc-j.com