About MESJ
Methanol Energy System Japan (MESJ) is an initiative established to promote the realization of a carbon-neutral society based on methanol. Its activities include public communication, monthly seminars, industrial collaboration, policy proposals, and international cooperation.
MESJ is currently operated as a sole proprietorship represented by Junji Nakamura. Professor Nakamura is Professor Emeritus at the University of Tsukuba and Visiting Professor at the Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University. He has been engaged for many years in research on catalysis, surface science, and energy conversion. In particular, he has continuously worked on catalytic methanol synthesis from CO₂ since 1993, with a focus on elucidating active sites and reaction mechanisms, and has developed this research internationally.
MESJ is not affiliated with any specific company, political party, or governmental organization. It is an independent initiative that seeks to propose to society the potential of a methanol-based carbon-neutral energy system, based on scientific knowledge and quantitative analysis.
MESJ has now begun its activities, focusing on monthly seminars, dissemination of information through publications and videos, and dialogue with companies, research institutions, and government-related stakeholders. As collaboration with interested companies and organizations becomes more substantial, MESJ will consider incorporation, such as establishing a limited liability company.
In the future, when multiple companies, research institutions, and government-related stakeholders become continuously involved, MESJ will also consider organizational forms such as a corporate consortium, a voluntary association, or a general incorporated association.
Details regarding partnership schemes, membership fees, activities, and participation rules will be developed through dialogue with relevant companies and organizations and will be made public as necessary.
JUNJI NAKAMURA
Biography
1983
B.Eng., Department of Synthetic Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
1985
M.Eng., Department of Synthetic Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University
1988
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University
Doctor of Science
1988
Postdoctoral Researcher, Indiana University, USA
1989
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Washington, USA
1990
Lecturer, Institute of Materials Science, University of Tsukuba
1995
Associate Professor, Institute of Materials Science, University of Tsukuba
2006
Professor, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba
2022
Professor, International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University
Specially Appointed Professor from 2023
April 1, 2026 – Present
Visiting Professor, Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University
Research Expertise
Interdisciplinary research integrating surface science and catalysis.
Research topics include catalytic methanol synthesis from CO₂, electrochemical conversion of CO₂, fuel-cell electrocatalysts, carbon reactivity and local electronic states, and mitochondrial metabolic mechanisms.
Major Awards and Honors
1992
Young Scientist Award, Catalysis Society of Japan
Awarded for “Kinetic studies on the formation behavior of carbon and oxygen species on metal single-crystal surfaces.”
2016
Fellow, The Surface Science Society of Japan
Recognized for “Elucidation of reaction mechanisms and active-site structures using model catalytic surfaces.”
2016
Society Award, The Surface Science Society of Japan
Awarded for “Studies on active sites and reaction mechanisms of model solid catalysts.”
2018
The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Science and Technology Award, Research Category
Awarded for “Studies on the elucidation of solid catalyst functions using surface-science approaches.”
2018
Society Award, Academic Division, Catalysis Society of Japan
Awarded for “Elucidation of active sites and reaction mechanisms of model catalysts using surface-science approaches.”
2023
Education Award, Catalysis Society of Japan
Awarded for “Contributions to education through the publication of books on surface chemistry.”
2026
Honorary Member, The Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science.