[Seminar] New Trends in Entering and Growth Strategies for Water Supply and Sewerage Business

Recently, we held technical training sessions for the MilkoScan FT3 at five locations nationwide. In this training, we provided a wide range of useful information for operating the equipment, including explanations of the principles and structure of the device, how to create measurement products, daily maintenance, and how to respond to issues when they arise. Additionally, this year we introduced new methods for utilizing digital services (such as FossCalibrator and IQX) and also prepared hands-on sessions where participants could experience operating the equipment using a PC. Thank you to everyone who participated. Please feel free to contact us with any questions after the training. ------- At Foss Japan, in addition to training sessions and workshops to ensure you can use our equipment with confidence, we hold many events throughout the year. In seminars and open houses tailored to specific industries and analytical techniques, we showcase Foss's latest analytical solutions. -------

[Lecturers] EY Strategy and Consulting Co., Ltd. Infrastructure Advisory Partner Kenichiro Fukuda Strategy Partner Ken Fujiyama Infrastructure Advisory Director Takashi Matsumura [Key Lecture Content] The water supply and sewage business is facing structural challenges such as facility aging, a shortage of workforce, and a decrease in revenue due to population decline. The government is promoting the introduction of Water PPPs, regional consolidation, and the digital transformation of water supply and sewage systems, marking a significant turning point in the way these businesses are operated. This change is expanding business opportunities for private companies in various areas, including operation and maintenance, pipeline renewal, digital technology, and the utilization of smart meters and data. Additionally, as a means of expanding business domains and enhancing competitiveness, there has been an increase in capital and operational partnerships and M&A between companies, leading to industry restructuring. In this seminar, based on the latest trends in policy and the market, we will introduce business strategies for private companies to enter and expand in the water supply and sewage market, including the use of M&A and capital operational partnerships, drawing on achievements from both public and private support.

[Lecturer] Koichi Iwama, Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management, Wako University / Chairman, Resource Economics Committee, Petroleum Technology Association [Key Lecture Content] In light of the prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, what will happen to the development of shale gas and shale oil in the United States moving forward? After the midterm elections, what will be the international LNG prices under the Trump administration after winter 2027? How will Japan's business strategies related to LNG projects grow? A leading expert on the shale gas and shale oil revolutions will clearly explain the future outlook.

[Lecture Items] 1. Initiatives for Promoting Smart Cities at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Urban Bureau, International and Digital Policy Division, Digital Information Utilization Promotion Office Planning Specialist Mr. Masahiro Kobayashi 1. Initiatives to Promote the Spread of Smart Cities 2. Promotion of the Development and Utilization of 3D Urban Models in Project PLATEAU 3. Q&A / Business Card Exchange 2. Smart Cities in the AI Era - Creating "Light Cities" that Continuously Unleash the Potential of Urban Areas - NTT Urban Solutions Inc., Urban Development Promotion Headquarters, Innovation Promotion Department, Deputy Director NTT Urban Development Corporation, Digital Innovation Promotion Department, Director Mr. Shinya Date 1. Changes in the Environment Surrounding Smart Cities and the Transformation of Urban Development 2. NTT's Vision for Creating "Light Cities" - Urban Development that Continues to Unleash the Potential of Cities 3. Evolution and Value Creation of Smart Cities in an AI-Driven Society 4. Considering Future Urban Models and Co-Creation Possibilities from Social Implementation Cases in Hibiya 5. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Research Institute, Technology and Innovation Information Department Senior Project Manager, Zhao Jian [Key Lecture Content] Low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) lithium-ion batteries are expanding their adoption worldwide. To prepare for future mass emissions, promoting their recycling is essential. However, due to the low material value of LFP batteries, ensuring the profitability of recycling operations has become a challenge. In pursuit of profitability, Chinese companies are seeking economies of scale and integrating battery material manufacturing, while in Europe and other regions, there is a focus on developing high-efficiency and high-purity recovery technologies such as direct recycling. This lecture will explain the current status, challenges, latest trends in technology development, and the impact on the battery supply chain regarding LFP battery recycling. [Lecture Items] 1. The necessity of LFP battery recycling 2. The current status of LFP battery recycling 3. Efforts to improve the profitability of LFP battery recycling 4. Impact on the supply chain & summary 5. Q&A / Business card exchange