Advanced Collaborative Research Organization for Smart Society (ACROSS)Waseda University

Yasuhiro Hayashi
Chairman of ACROSS

In November 2021, Waseda University issued the “Waseda University Carbon Neutrality Declaration,” announcing its intent to tackle the Carbon Net Zero Challenge by linking research and education. The objective is the “realization of a carbon neutral society” with Waseda University as an indispensable key to building the next-generation society. This university-wide effort goes beyond the field of technology focusing on science and engineering and extends to the humanities, social sciences, and integrated and innovative science. To make this a truly effective initiative, the Waseda Center for a Carbon Neutral Society (WCANS) has been newly established within Waseda University, and the research and education for the realization of a carbon neutral society is going to be centralized under this center. The activities of this center would be aimed at promoting the early realization of a carbon neutral society and cultivating the core talent needed for this.
Previously, initiatives aimed at realizing a smart and carbon neutral society have been implemented by ACROSS, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe the activities of ACROSS as anticipating the objectives of the WCANS. These prior initiatives have been highly appraised by the university, and thus I have been appointed as the director of the newly established WCANS. The newly appointed director of the WCANS is obligated to comprehensively supervise carbon neutral activities throughout the university. Going forward, we must keep pace with ACROSS activities and contribute to activities aimed at realizing a carbon neutral society throughout the university. This represents the beginning of major changes, and thus it has been decided by ACROSS to establish a new post named chairman in order to coordinate the activities of ACROSS with those of the entire university, and to appoint me to the post. Accordingly, Professor Shin-ichi Tanabe, Director of the Research Institute for Building Environmental Design and widely active in Japan and overseas, was newly appointed as a dean. Professor Tanabe and I intend to work together to lead the ACROSS with even more energy and vitality. We ask for your continued support and cooperation.

Shin-ichi Tanabe
Dean of ACROSS

Information and communication technology (ICT) is now being applied in every aspect of our daily lives, creating new value and services in ways never seen before. Recognizing this as a sign of the emergence of a smart society, Waseda University established the Advanced Collaborative Research Organization for Smart Society (ACROSS) in July 2014 as one of its industry-academia collaboration hubs, and has since advanced a wide range of activities.

During this period, the energy sector, which forms a core part of social infrastructure, has undergone major changes, including progress in electric power system reform, further expansion of renewable energy, promotion of the use of distributed energy resources on the demand side, and wider adoption of ZEB/ZEH. Supported by the cooperative framework of the Promotion Association for Smart Society Technology and the Study Group for Smart Society Technology, ACROSS has produced numerous achievements across diverse fields, contributed to institutional development and standardization, and built a strong record of outreach to society.

ACROSS has positioned the five-year period beginning in FY2024 as Phase III. Through the establishment of new research institutes and further strengthening of industry-academia collaboration, we are expanding our research domains and deepening our research activities.

The Seventh Basic Energy Plan, approved by the Cabinet in February 2025, presents an even more challenging direction, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 73% by FY2040 and to raise the share of electricity generated from renewable energy to around 40–50%. We will continue our tireless efforts to realize a smart society so that our research results may serve as a foundation for the technologies needed to achieve carbon neutrality.