Research Report

AI, Digital, and Energy Toward 2035: A New Era of Collaboration and Emerging Challenges

Nobumitsu Aiki
Senior Researcher, Policy and Environment Research Group,1st Research Department
Shuntaro Ishii
Associate Senior Researcher, Global Business Strategy Group, 2nd Research Department

HRI Report

The pursuit of energy transition—a shift in the energy supply and consumption structure from fossil fuels to renewable energy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality or decarbonization—was a dominant global trend following the Paris Agreement of 2015. At present, however, the confluence of global・・・

The EU accelerating the strengthening of its defence capabilities ~ The 800 billion euro increase in defence spending will boost the EU economy, with Germany expanding defence and infrastructure investments ~

Kenichiro Yoshida
Chief Researcher,
Global Intelligence and Research Office

Short Report

The EU is accelerating the strengthening of its defence capabilities. In March, the European Commission announced the White Paper on European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan, which aims to expand defence investment totaling 800 billion・・・

Expanding Corporate Value Through “Ideal Intangible Asset Management”

Ippei Nishida
Senior Researcher,
Financial Strategy and Society Research Group, 1st Research Department

Research Project

Corporate value management has been a long-standing topic of discussion, and the importance of managing non-financial value and intangible assets, which account for an increasing share of corporate value, is growing, particularly among global enterprises. However, unlike financial value and・・・

“How will Southeast Asia benefit from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework?” by Sherillyn Raga

Ajay Kumar Airan
Deputy General Manager,
Hitachi Research Institute Unit, MD Office, Hitachi India Pvt. Ltd.

Book Review

The Indo-Pacific region is geographically a triangle, having Japan on its northern boundary, Australia on southeastern, and India in southwestern. The 10-nations group ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) falls in this triangular region. In fact, the concept of Indo-Pacific has been advancing・・・

Trump’s Return and the Renewed Attempt to Dismantle the Administrative State

Ayako Sugino
Associate Professor
Faculty of Law
Musashino University

The second Trump administration is rapidly advancing a fossil fuel–centered energy policy through executive orders and deregulating environmental protections. In addition to facing challenges such as conflicts with Congress and states, as well as questions over legal legitimacy, it is also grappling with funding shortages and a lack of skilled labor essential for maintaining U.S. competitiveness. Going forward, attention will focus on education reform and measures to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

EU Energy Policy Shifts Focus to the Industrial Competitiveness

Takuya Kurimura
Principal Researcher
Research Department
Japan Electric Power Information Center

The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, announced in 2025, emphasizes enhanced industrial competitiveness while maintaining its decarbonization goals. By promoting affordable energy, clean technology, and grid expansion, it aims to achieve both economic growth and climate change mitigation.

Energy Demand and Supply Outlook by the 7th Strategic Energy Plan of Japan

Yoshikazu Kobayashi
Senior Research Director
Research Strategy Unit
The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan

The 7th Strategic Energy Plan, while maintaining the fundamental principles of previous energy policies, places greater emphasis on energy security and economic efficiency. This article proceeds to outline key points by comparing the revised plan with its predecessor. Furthermore, in light of the recent shift in electricity demand from a declining trend to an upward trajectory, this article discusses the necessity of developing a business environment capable of ensuring a stable and sufficient power supply.

Current Status and Challenges of Power Consumption in the Digital Industry in Japan

Go Matsuo
Managing Director
Energy Economics and Society Research Institute LLC.

With the advancement of digital technology, the electricity demand for data centers is rapidly increasing, but their locations tend to be concentrated in specific regions. In addition to the issue of insufficient power supply from power plants, there are challenges related to the capacity of distribution facilities such as transmission lines and substations that support Japan's digital industry.

Challenges and Opportunities at the Intersection of AI and Energy

Joseph Majkut, Program Director
Cy McGeady, Fellow
Avrey Callis, Intern
Energy Security and Climate Change Program, CSIS

The AI boom is driving unprecedented electricity demand growth in the U.S., especially from data centers. To maintain its technological leadership in the field of AI, the U.S. must accelerate power deployment—especially solar power, gas-fired generation, and energy storage systems—while planning long-term solutions like advanced nuclear power generation and transmission upgrades. Balancing short-term urgency with sustainable growth is essential for economic and strategic success in an AI-driven era.