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On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, the Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis held a 5th Anniversary Commemorative Lecture at the Cultural Exchange Room of the Osaka City University Media Center. The lecture was attended by approximately 100 people, filling the room to capacity and creating a lively atmosphere.

Following the opening remarks by Vice President Hiroyuki Sakuragi, a special lecture titled "Production and Utilization of Liquid Solar Fuels via Artificial Photosynthesis" was delivered by Dr. Shun-ichi Fukuzumi (Professor Emeritus of Osaka University, Specially Appointed Professor of Meijo University, and Special Professor of Ewha Womans University), a leading expert in the field of electron transfer. In his lecture, he energetically spoke about the potential of artificial photosynthesis without the need for a microphone.

Following this, Professor Nobuo Kamiya (OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science and Technology) presented a commemorative lecture titled "From Photosynthesis to Artificial Photosynthesis." He delved into his groundbreaking research on the molecular structure of PSII, a protein that had long eluded scientists. Professor Kamiya passionately argued for the widespread adoption of artificial photosynthesis as essential for building a sustainable society.

Finally, Professor Yutaka Amao (Director, Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis) looked back on the center's achievements over the past five years. He emphasized the growing interest in carbon dioxide utilization technologies, motivated by Japan's commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions by 26% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. Looking ahead to the center's 10th anniversary, he expressed his determination to build a solid foundation for fundamental research that supports a circular economy utilizing CO₂ recycling technologies.