Hokkaido University is driving the development of a comprehensive semiconductor hub in Hokkaido, with next-generation semiconductors as a catalyst for regional development. As a key part of this initiative, the university established the Institute for Frontier Education and Research on Semiconductors (IFERS).

By developing the next generation of semiconductor professionals, pursuing cutting-edge research and development, and working in close alignment with industrial policy initiatives, IFERS aims to contribute to the revitalization and growth of Hokkaido and Japan.

Leveraging Hokkaido’s abundant renewable energy resources and the university’s expertise across diverse fields, researchers from different disciplines collaborate with industry, local and national governments, and financial institutions to advance green transformation (GX).

The Hokkaido University Green Transformation Innovation Center (GX Center) brings together technological innovation, policy, investment, and social implementation, with the aim of establishing Hokkaido as a model region for green transformation and extending its impact across Japan and around the world.

Building on 150 years of history, Hokkaido University carries forward its tradition of global perspectives, diversity, and “lofty ambition,” with a commitment to contributing to solutions for global challenges.

Since well before the adoption of the SDGs, the university has advanced education, research, and university-wide initiatives toward a sustainable society. By bringing together diverse knowledge and expertise, Hokkaido University aims to develop solutions locally and extend their impact globally, working together to create a sustainable future.

These longstanding efforts have earned the university 7th place globally and the No. 1 position in Japan for seven consecutive years in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026. On the Hokkaido University × SDGs website, the university disseminates information on its efforts to build sustainable local communities through education, research, and industry–academia collaboration.

Hokkaido University established the Hokkaido University–Local Government Collaboration Forum to strengthen institutional collaboration with local governments and leverage the university’s education and research capabilities to address increasingly diverse and complex regional challenges.

Serving as a university-wide contact point, the Forum connects local governments with researchers across a wide range of disciplines, helping them access the expertise best suited to their needs. By bringing together diverse knowledge to address regional challenges, the Forum aims to create a virtuous cycle that revitalizes Hokkaido while strengthening the university’s interdisciplinary capabilities.

The Hokkaido Universities Alliance was established as a collaborative platform that brings together universities and other higher education institutions across Hokkaido, leveraging their respective strengths and distinctive capabilities in research, education, community engagement, and industry-academia collaboration. By sharing knowledge and expertise and combining their strengths, the Alliance aims to advance education and research across Hokkaido and contribute to solving regional challenges.