On October 22, Okayama University held a ceremony at the 50th Anniversary Hall to award Honorary Fellow of Asahi Kasei Corporation and 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Laureate Dr. YOSHINO Akira with　the Honorary Degree of Doctor. After the ceremony, Dr. Yoshino gave a special lecture.
Okayama University has conferred honorary doctorates since 2009 to individuals who have made significant contributions to academic culture and the university’s education and research, and Dr. Yoshino is the seventh recipient.

President MAKINO Hirofumi opened the ceremony, stating that, “Dr. Yoshino’s achievements have greatly contributed to Okayama University’s mission to promote the SDGs as a premier research institution in the field of sustainable development. As such, we find it appropriate to recognize his contribution by conferring this honorary doctorate.” In response, Dr. Yoshino addressed the assembly, saying that, “One of the reasons that I won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry is the development of lithium-ion batteries, which are expected to promote a transition towards sustainable development. I think that Okayama University’s research and educational activities, which focus on the realization of the SDGs, have a lot in common with the research that I will carry out in the near future.”

Following the award ceremony, Dr. Yoshino gave a special lecture titled “The potential of lithium-ion batteries for our future society”. In addition to introducing the trajectory of his research up to the development of lithium-ion batteries, Dr. Yoshino also presented an image of society moving towards the realization of sustainability with the introduction of AI-equipped self-driving cars, which will not only solve transportation issues, but energy- and fuel-related issues as well. Encouraging Okayama University students, Dr. Yoshino said that, “When researching it is inevitable that you will come up against obstacles, but as you overcome them you will move closer to your goal. Please do your best while finding a balance between work and play.” In order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, access to the hall was limited, and the event was broadcast live online. In total, 800 university students and faculty members watched the ceremony and special lecture.

After the lecture, a Q&A session was held, giving PhD students and young researchers the opportunity to receive advice directly from Dr. Yoshino.