Okayama University: Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Advanced Research Group, Reiwa 7 (2025) 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub' Holds Research Progress Report Meeting
Okayama University's 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub' within the Advanced Institute for Science and Technology held its Reiwa 7 (2025) research progress report meeting on March 5, 2026. The event aimed to gather world-class researchers, share research progress and achievements, and deepen interdisciplinary collaboration, with the university president also attending to emphasize research excellence.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 08:03
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April 29, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu)'s Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Advanced Research Group 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub' held its 'Reiwa 7 (2025) Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub Research Progress Report Meeting' on March 5, 2026, at the Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) on the Tsushima Campus.
This report meeting was held as an important venue to share research progress and achievements of the 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub,' an advanced research group designated to sharpen research by concentrating world-class researchers and resources into research areas where the university has strengths, and to promote innovative research and technological development, as well as to deepen interdisciplinary collaboration.
The meeting was attended by all designated advanced researchers and chief researchers from the three groups within the advanced research group: Photosynthesis and Structural Biology Group, Plant Science Group, and Innovative Materials and Energy Group, including Hub Director Professor Kenjin Shen (Institute of Plant Science and Resources), Deputy Hub Director Professor Jianfeng Ma (Institute of Plant Science and Resources), and Professor Yuta Nishina (Institute for Basic Science). Each individual and group reported on their research progress for Reiwa 7 (2025) and possibilities for future collaboration, engaging in lively discussions.
Okayama University President Yasutomo Nasu also participated in the report meeting and commented, 'This hub is at the core of the Project for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Hubs and Distinctive Research Institutions (J-PEAKS), dramatically enhancing research excellence and leading the top circle of the research community. Moving forward, we aim to build the research foundation for a group of research universities through rational resource allocation based on research IR and the revitalization of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration.'
This hub will continue to promote new knowledge and technology development for the realization of Planetary Health (health of the Earth and ecosystems). Please continue to look forward to the initiatives of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university.
This information was released by Okayama University on April 12, 2026.
Director Shen greeting
Scene from the report meeting
President Nasu greeting
Overview of Okayama University Advanced Institute for Science and Technology 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub'
Co-creation Innovation Lab KIBINOVE, the venue
◆ References
・Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Declaration as a Research University
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003808.000072793.html
・Okayama University Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE)
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/kigyo/kibinove/
・Okayama University Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Advanced Research Group 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub'
https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/research-excellence/researchers/
・Okayama University Project for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Hubs and Distinctive Research Institutions (J-PEAKS)
https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Reference Information
・[Okayama University] Selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's 'Project for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Hubs and Distinctive Research Institutions (J-PEAKS)' ~ Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university that co-creates the future of the region and the Earth and becomes a core of global innovation, while building a mountain range of Japan's world-class research universities ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] Established 'Okayama University's Most Important Research Areas' ~ To realize a research university that co-creates the future of the region and the Earth and contributes to global innovation ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001601.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] Okayama University's four research institutes launched as 'Advanced Institute for Science and Technology' ~ Operation commenced as a 'system' that combines excellence, innovation creation, fluidity, and cultivation, rather than just an organizational 'box' ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001835.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub' recognized as an advanced research group (special research zone) at Okayama University Advanced Institute for Science and Technology ~ Japan's leading internationally competitive research hub to achieve research excellence and Planetary Health (health of the Earth and ecosystems) ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/0000
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu)'s Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Advanced Research Group 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub' held its 'Reiwa 7 (2025) Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub Research Progress Report Meeting' on March 5, 2026, at the Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) on the Tsushima Campus.
This report meeting was held as an important venue to share research progress and achievements of the 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub,' an advanced research group designated to sharpen research by concentrating world-class researchers and resources into research areas where the university has strengths, and to promote innovative research and technological development, as well as to deepen interdisciplinary collaboration.
The meeting was attended by all designated advanced researchers and chief researchers from the three groups within the advanced research group: Photosynthesis and Structural Biology Group, Plant Science Group, and Innovative Materials and Energy Group, including Hub Director Professor Kenjin Shen (Institute of Plant Science and Resources), Deputy Hub Director Professor Jianfeng Ma (Institute of Plant Science and Resources), and Professor Yuta Nishina (Institute for Basic Science). Each individual and group reported on their research progress for Reiwa 7 (2025) and possibilities for future collaboration, engaging in lively discussions.
Okayama University President Yasutomo Nasu also participated in the report meeting and commented, 'This hub is at the core of the Project for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Hubs and Distinctive Research Institutions (J-PEAKS), dramatically enhancing research excellence and leading the top circle of the research community. Moving forward, we aim to build the research foundation for a group of research universities through rational resource allocation based on research IR and the revitalization of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration.'
This hub will continue to promote new knowledge and technology development for the realization of Planetary Health (health of the Earth and ecosystems). Please continue to look forward to the initiatives of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university.
This information was released by Okayama University on April 12, 2026.
Director Shen greeting
Scene from the report meeting
President Nasu greeting
Overview of Okayama University Advanced Institute for Science and Technology 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub'
Co-creation Innovation Lab KIBINOVE, the venue
◆ References
・Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Declaration as a Research University
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003808.000072793.html
・Okayama University Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE)
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/kigyo/kibinove/
・Okayama University Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Advanced Research Group 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub'
https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/research-excellence/researchers/
・Okayama University Project for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Hubs and Distinctive Research Institutions (J-PEAKS)
https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Reference Information
・[Okayama University] Selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's 'Project for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Hubs and Distinctive Research Institutions (J-PEAKS)' ~ Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university that co-creates the future of the region and the Earth and becomes a core of global innovation, while building a mountain range of Japan's world-class research universities ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] Established 'Okayama University's Most Important Research Areas' ~ To realize a research university that co-creates the future of the region and the Earth and contributes to global innovation ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001601.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] Okayama University's four research institutes launched as 'Advanced Institute for Science and Technology' ~ Operation commenced as a 'system' that combines excellence, innovation creation, fluidity, and cultivation, rather than just an organizational 'box' ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001835.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] 'Plant and Photoenergy Development Hub' recognized as an advanced research group (special research zone) at Okayama University Advanced Institute for Science and Technology ~ Japan's leading internationally competitive research hub to achieve research excellence and Planetary Health (health of the Earth and ecosystems) ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/0000