Keiichiro Asao, Member of the House of Councillors, Minister of the Environment

Each individual's small step can lead to a larger effort to solve the problem.

House of Councillors, Minister of the Environment: Keiichiro Asao

■ Profile
Born on February 11, 1964. Lives in Kamakura City with his wife and dog. Spent his childhood in the United States and Canada, where his father, a diplomat, was stationed. Graduated from Eiko Gakuen High School. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo. Completed an MBA at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Formerly worked at the Industrial Bank of Japan. First elected to the House of Councillors in 1998 (serving a total of three terms). First elected to the House of Representatives in 2009 (serving a total of three terms). Appointed Minister of the Environment in 2024, a position he holds to this day.

■What kind of student life did you have?

During my university years, I was involved in a wide range of activities besides studying, such as club activities and part-time jobs. In particular, through the "Navigation Circle" that I founded, I learned the joy of planning and managing projects with my peers, turning my ideas into reality, and getting others involved.
I also worked part-time as a private tutor, and by constantly striving to explain things clearly to my students, I developed the ability to consider things from their perspective and cultivated patience. Looking back now, I think the various experiences I had during my university life were an important part of the process of discovering what I wanted to do. I made many mistakes, but they were valuable learning experiences and have become a great asset to me.

■Please tell us about measures to protect the global environment.

To improve the environment in Japan and around the world, I am exploring the realization of technology to artificially perform photosynthesis. My goal is to establish a sustainable bioenergy cycle by replicating the mechanism of photosynthesis by human hands, producing and burning fuels such as ethanol, and utilizing them as energy. The practical application of this artificial photosynthesis requires a national-scale effort, and at present, it is not yet at a stage where it can be reliably realized, so research and considerations are ongoing. If realized in the future, I believe it will become a major pillar of renewable energy by reducing carbon dioxide, which is said to be one of the causes of global warming, and increasing oxygen.
Beyond artificial photosynthesis, there are many other policies aimed at improving the environment. For example, Japan aims to achieve "carbon neutrality" by 2050, meaning that carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles, power generation, and other sources will be virtually zero. To this end, reduction targets have been set for each of the 47 prefectures, and measures are being taken in accordance with local needs. This will help to curb the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and prevent the progression of global warming. We aim to realize a sustainable society by combining science and technology with institutional frameworks.

■Please give us a message for students

Environmental issues may seem like vague problems, but it's important for each of us to take ownership of the issue and to investigate it with even a little interest. Sharing the knowledge and information we gain with others is a small step towards solving future environmental problems and will lead to bigger initiatives.

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