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As one of the IIASA founding organizations, the Japan Committee for IIASA has helped develop a highly-productive relationship between IIASA and Japan. The Japanese Ministry of the Environment funds IIASA’s annual membership fee and NMO activities.
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IIASA Connect
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News
22 June 2026
IIASA and RIKEN explore opportunities for future scientific collaboration
IIASA recently welcomed Toshiyasu Ichioka, Director of the RIKEN Europe Office, to Schloss Laxenburg for a half-day program aimed at strengthening scientific ties and exploring potential avenues for future collaboration.
18 May 2026
Full fossil fuel phase-out by 2050 would require up to 80% more electricity generation
New research by an international team of scientists finds that fully phasing out fossil fuels worldwide by 2050 would require global electricity generation to expand by roughly 60 to 80% beyond the levels projected in conventional 1.5°C climate pathways. The study also shows that eliminating fossil fuels could significantly reduce dependence on CO2 removal technologies and underground carbon storage.
16 October 2025
Democratizing global climate modeling
A new international study co-led by IIASA researchers and Japanese partners aims to democratize the way global climate scenarios are developed. The authors propose a transparent, inclusive research platform that invites participation from scientists worldwide – especially from emerging and developing regions – to ensure that the foundations of climate policy analysis are globally representative and equitable.
Events
Focus
Annual Report 2025
Annual Report 2025: Science Diplomacy Highlights
In 2025, IIASA reinforced its role as a trusted actor in science diplomacy by deepening engagement with international institutions and supporting research‑informed policy dialogue across global platforms.
12 March 2026
Advancing knowledge on cities and climate change: Insights from the IIASA Urban Futures Hub
The IIASA Urban Futures Hub is a cutting-edge research initiative dedicated to studying and assessing how cities and urban systems can lead climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts from local to global scales. The Hub regularly brings together experts from various disciplines within and beyond the Institute to collaborate on assessing cities and climate change across diverse domains and scales. IIASA researchers Leila Niamir and Merle Quade share insights from the initiative's latest expert workshop.
Projects
ASPIRE: Assessment of Innovative Energy Technologies and Exploration of Decarbonized Energy System Using Novel Global Energy System Model
Publications
Cao, T., Mastrucci, A. , Sugiyama, M., van Ruijven, B. , & Henrysson, M. (2027). Longer lives, longer-lived buildings: Implications of population aging and low-demand scenarios for Japan's residential sector decarbonization. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 122 e108632. 10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108632.
Watanabe, C., Tou, Y., Nagamatsu, A., & Neittaanmaki, P. (2026). Generative AI-Driven Innovation Leads the Way to Coevolution Between Japan, India and the Global South Towards Decarbonization. In: Challenges in Design Methods, Numerical Tools and Technologies for Sustainable Aviation, Transport and Industry. Eds. Tuovinen, T., Neittaanmäki, P., & Knoerzer, D., pp. 209-229 Cham: Springer. ISBN 978-3-031-98674-1 10.1007/978-3-031-98675-8_14.
Cao, T., Frazer, E., Sugiyama, M., Shiraki, H., Fujimori, S. , Wada, K., Hamasaki, H., Kato, E., Matsuo, Y., Nishiura, O., Okubo, T., Oshiro, K., Otsuki, T., & Sano, F. (2025). JMIP2 Part 3: The pace of hydrogen and electricity adoption in Japan’s demand-side decarbonization. Energy and Climate Change 6 e100223. 10.1016/j.egycc.2025.100223.
Sugiyama, M., Shiraki, H., Fujimori, S. , Wada, K., CAO, T., Frazer, E., Hamasaki, H., Kato, E., Matsuo, Y., Nishiura, O., Okubo, T., Oshiro, K., Otsuki, T., Sano, F., & Yoshida, H. (2025). JMIP 2 Part 1: Technology uncertainty and robustness in Japan’s net-zero pathways. Energy and Climate Change 6 e100210. 10.1016/j.egycc.2025.100210.
Ju, Y. , Cao, T., Firdaus, N., & Li, B. (2025). Endogenizing long-term material and energy demand in response to power capacity changes by model soft-linking: application to Japan. Energy Systems 10.1007/s12667-025-00724-9.
Washizu, A., Ju, Y. , Yoshida, A., Tayama, M., & Amano, Y. (2024). Modeling the distributed energy resource aggregator services in a macroeconomic framework: The application to Japan. Energy 312 e133561. 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133561.