On March 11, 2022, “The 100th Rare Metal Workshop” was held at the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), The University of Tokyo. It was hosted by the Rare Metal Workshop (Organizer: Prof. Toru H. Okabe). The JX Metals Endowed Unit participated as one of the co-sponsors.

The workshop was held as the 100th anniversary symposium, and was facilitated by Prof. Chiharu Tokoro, Project Professor. Dr. Ryohei Yagi, Umicore, Prof. Takanari Ouchi, Project Lecturer, Dr. Jungshin Kang, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Prof. Yu-ki Taninouchi, Kyushu University, Prof. Osamu Takeda, Tohoku University, Prof. Toru H. Okabe, Project Professor, delivered lectures on the future of research and education (human resource development) in the non-ferrous field.

Subsequently, a discussion was held with the lecturers above along with Prof. Harumasa Kurokawa, Project Professor, and Prof. Takashi Nakamura, Senior collaborator (former Project Professor until March 2020). To prevent COVID-19 infection, this symposium was held in a hybrid format, where the audience gathered in the convention hall was limited to approximately 30 people, and the lectures were broadcast via Zoom and YouTube. Approximately 300 people, mostly from fields related to non-ferrous metals, gathered and participated online in this informational and joyful occasion.