EV battery competition, offensive from Hyogo Former Sanyo base is nuclear, supplied to Toyota As a way of regional economy

Square lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles produced at a factory in Kasai City = Tokonabecho, Kasai City (provided by Prime Planet Energy & Solutions)

Last October, Hojo Higashi Elementary School in Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture. Approximately 50 fifth grade children curiously looked into the engine room of an electric vehicle (EV) and learned about the mechanism of EV and the lithium-ion battery at the heart. [Photo] Awaji Island companies are at the forefront of energy conversion "How to make safe and high-quality batteries cheaply in order to realize a clean society by electrifying cars. We challenge the world from Kasai. I'm here. " The engineer who acted as a lecturer explained the current state of in-vehicle battery development as follows. The engineers are employees of Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, a joint venture established by Toyota and Panasonic two years ago. The company has its Kansai headquarters in Kasai City, and supports Toyota's strategy of taking the lead in EV production by supplying batteries. About 1,000 engineers belong to Prime's Kansai headquarters. The buildings and factories were built in 2010 by Sanyo Electric, a major home appliance maker that originated in the city, as a major base for the development and manufacture of in-vehicle batteries. Sanyo, which boasted the world's top shipment of lithium-ion batteries, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pana the following year due to financial difficulties and was absorbed. Kasai, a company town, was hit hard. Ten years later, Fumiaki Takesue, Managing Director of the Kasai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "Through exchanges of opinions, Prime Co., Ltd. was informed of the technological capabilities of local companies, and the momentum was gained. I want to revitalize the region. " Prime will also focus on interacting with the local community, such as on-site lessons at elementary schools. A local official said, "It's a bright topic reminiscent of the Sanyo era for the manufacturing town. There are also movements to expand EV-related companies, and stores are opening one after another." □ With the trend of decarbonization as a measure against global warming, the shift from gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs is accelerating, especially in Europe and the United States, and demand for in-vehicle batteries is only increasing. These demands and investments are now the savior that fills the hollowing out of local industry. Kasai City expects signs of change, saying, "Toyota's capital has entered and the tide has changed." Will the demand generated by decarbonization be a way for local and regional economies suffering from population decline? I continued to interview. ■ EV trend, the way of the local economy Himeji factory withdraws liquid crystal panel, squeezes batteries ■ Kansai of Toyota and Panasonic joint venture "Prime Planet Energy & Solutions" spread over about 15 hectares in Tokonabe-cho, Kasai city main office. The administration building inherited from Sanyo Electric and Panasonic has had its first floor entrance renovated this year for the first time in 10 years. The huge screen on the front shows images of nature around the world such as forests and the sea, and there is no PR for the product. "A message that we should work together for the global environment," said a spokeswoman. Be aware of the increasing number of business partners and visitors. In addition to Kasai, there are five development and production bases in Hyogo prefecture: Himeji, Awaji, Sumoto, and Nishi-ku, Kobe. Many used the former Sanyo Electric factory. Most of the nearly 3,000 full-time employees in Japan work mainly in Hyogo. □ Behind the investment is Toyota's strategy to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles (EV). By 2030, the company will double the number of EV models from the previous plan and develop next-generation battery-equipped vehicles. As China and South Korea invest their national budgets to increase their competitiveness, "In-vehicle batteries are the last bastion of Japanese manufacturing," Prime said. Play a part in the rebound in the world market. Kasai City has received new investment as a result of the decarbonization trend urging global companies to change their strategies. There is a view that "most of the employment is dispatched or contract employees, and the impact on the local economy is limited," but there are high expectations for raising the level of the regional economic base. On the other hand, the locals have a bitter memory of the disappearance of Sanyo Electric, which supported the local economy. There were about 20 cooperating companies in the city, and they sought a way to survive by welcoming engineers who changed jobs from Sanyo Electric and diversifying their businesses. One of the Sanyo OBs said, "Kasai has experienced hardships, but each company has improved its technological capabilities and strengthened its ability to respond to changes in the times. I hope that it will take advantage of (decarbonized) business opportunities." □ The momentum of Prime is spread throughout the prefecture. Last year, the company announced that it would significantly increase its production line at its Himeji base (Megahida-cho, Shikamaku-ku, Himeji-shi), which became the main factory for EV batteries. The annual production will be increased from 1.4 million units to 2.4 million units in stages. The Himeji base was built by Panasonic for 10 years to manufacture LCD TV panels. Although the factory became a major base, it lost price competition with Chinese and South Koreans and stopped production. In 1919, when the company announced its withdrawal from the LCD panel business, production of in-vehicle batteries began. The Himeji City Corporate Location Division positively accepts that "the products to be manufactured will change, but it is not a factory withdrawal. Employment will continue due to relocation, etc., and the introduction of the latest equipment will lead to energy savings and increased tax revenue." Prime has hired 150 new employees due to increased production. This place was originally a refinery of Idemitsu Kosan. After being at the mercy of the international competition for LCD panels, it is about to be reborn as a production base for products that symbolize a carbon-free society. Hiroyasu Yoshida, Managing Director of the Himeji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expects that "a promising industry that is in line with the national economic growth strategy. It has a great effect on employment and we would like to move forward together." (Nanako Ishizawa, Shinya Fujii)