[Case Studies] Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Venture Companies in the Kinki Region Working on Next-Generation and Innovative Battery-Related Technologies

Overview

This article introduces a collection of case studies published by the Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry on July 4, 2025, featuring small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies in the Kinki region working on next-generation and innovative battery-related technologies. ## Key Points ### Overview and Purpose of the Case Study Collection - Initiatives leveraging the characteristics of the Kinki region as a major hub for the battery industry - Targeting small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies working on next-generation and innovative batteries and related technologies - Created based on interview results conducted in fiscal year 2024 - Published as a 7.9MB PDF document summarizing each company's technology and the future envisioned through its social implementation ### Background of the Kansai Battery Human Resource Development Consortium - Goal set in the Battery Industry Strategy on August 31, 2022: Establish 150GWh domestic manufacturing capacity by 2030 - Need to develop and secure approximately 22,000 personnel for battery manufacturing and 30,000 for the entire supply chain - Secretariat handled by the Battery Association of Japan (BAJ), Battery Supply Chain Council (BASC), and Kansai Bureau - As of July 5, 2024, participation from industry, educational institutions, local governments, and support organizations ### Development of Human Resource Development Programs - "Direction of Battery Human Resource Development 2025" published on March 19, 2025 (updated June 18) - Full-scale launch of industry-academia collaborative education programs for different levels: high school, technical college, university students, and working professionals - Providing battery education programs for educational institutions and programs for university students (at AIST Kansai Center) - Expanding initiatives to implement battery education in more regions and educational institutions ### Enhancement of Related Surveys and Materials - Conducted survey projects to strengthen the battery manufacturing equipment supply chain - Conducted interview surveys with major manufacturing equipment manufacturers and patent analysis in cooperation with INPIT-KANSAI - Newly published the public relations magazine "Kansai Battery News - DENCHY -" - Held the 6th main meeting on March 11, 2025, continuing ongoing activities The article demonstrates that the Kansai region is building a comprehensive support system for battery industry development through both innovative technology development by small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies, and human resource development, working toward achieving the 2030 targets.