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Projects
Projects
How countries are trading emissions (Article 6 explained)
October 2025 - December 2025
This project aims to explain the mechanisms behind Article 6 and the actual implementation of the cooperative approaches using Japan's Joint Crediting Mechanisms as a case study.
Format and Deliverables:
12 – 18 minutes in YouTube video format.
2 – 3 short-form videos (30s).
A blog post based on the video scripts.
Why so many rooftop solar in Japan? (Tentative title)
September 2025 - November 2025
Yamaguchi, a quiet city in Japan’s Chūgoku region, offers a revealing view of the energy transition: rooftops glitter with panels, and small solar plots punctuate the fields. The pattern extends well beyond Yamaguchi—solar is now a visible feature of rural Japan. By 2024, solar supplied around one-tenth of national electricity [1]. This transformation traces back to policy: following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Japan introduced a notably generous feed-in tariff in 2012 (~¥42/kWh, ~US$0.40 then), which catalyzed investment and household adoption [2]. Cumulative capacity jumped from ~5 GW in 2011 to over 85 GW by 2022.[3]
This study examines the drivers behind Japan’s rooftop and small-scale solar boom; the rise of agrivoltaics as a land-smart solution; and the promise of next-gen PV (e.g., perovskites, or the recent “super solar” which is said to be more powerful than 20 nuclear reactors[4]), together charting how policy and innovation might move Japan toward global solar leadership.
Purpose: The study aims to answer
Why Japan’s rooftops and fields host so much solar (policy + economics after 2011).
How the policy toolkit evolved (Before and after the 2011 disaster -> FIT/FIP).
Why agrivoltaics (solar sharing) fits Japan’s land constraints and farm structure.
What this means, and what’s next for Japan and the world.
Format and Deliverables:
12 – 18 minutes in YouTube video format.
2 – 3 short-form videos (30s).
A blog post based on the video scripts.
[1] https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-electricity-solar?tab=chart&country=~JPN
[2] http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/18/energy-renewables-japan-idUSL3E8HI19M20120618
[3] https://iea-pvps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEA-PVPS-Task1-NSR-Japan-2022.pdf
[4] https://www.japanenergyevent.com/media-insights-hub/industry-news/japan-unveils-world-s-first-solar-super-panel-more-powerful-than-20-nuclear-reactors/
Study on alternative finance for early-stage cleantech ventures
October 2024 - September 2025
This study aims to identify alternative sources of finance for early-stage cleantech ventures and provide insights for policymakers and practitioners
Output: "Cleantech finance, equity crowdfunding, and legitimacy: Evidence from Japan" (In progress)
Study on improving the investment climate of economic zones in Vietnam
August 2021 - January 2022
This study aims to identify factors affecting investors' satisfaction in Nghe An's economic zones.
Outputs:
Mai, L. V. S. ., Kopsack, D. ., Tieng, N. T. ., Trang, H. T. H. ., & Khoa, T. D. . (2023). Factors affecting investor satisfaction in the southeast economic zone of Nghe An province. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(4), 251–268. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i4.4765
Le Vu, M., Nguyen Thi, T., Dalasouk, K., Tran Hai, N., Hoang Thi, Trang., Nguyen Thi, H., (2022). Promoting investment in Southeast Economic Zone of Nghe An Province. Economy and Forecast Review, 2022(04), 51-53. ISSN 1859-4972
Activities
Activities
We held a farewell party for our Master of Economics cohort (2023) - Yamaguchi University
We held a farewell party for our Master of Economics cohort (2023) - Yamaguchi University
I defended my Master's thesis!
I defended my Master's thesis!
I recently defended my Master's thesis! My 2.5-year journey of continuous learning, self-improvement, and contributing to knowledge has finally come to an end.
The journey started with a simple question:
“How can we finance clean technology startups?”
As you might know, low-carbon and clean technologies are pivotal in our efforts to keep the temperature increase below 1.5°C, which is a huge ambition that requires massive financial resources. However, even the most conservative estimate by the Climate Policy Initiative (2025) says we need USD 6 trillion annually, which is way more than what’s currently being mobilized.
Looking at the smaller picture, clean technology startups are also part of this revolution, but they’re not getting the funding they need. These startups are risky, capital-intensive, and take a long time to become commercially viable. That makes it hard for them to access both traditional and risk finance like venture capital.
So I started to consider alternatives, and one we often overlook is crowdfunding. In other words, what if "we" could become part of the push toward net-zero?
To study this, I looked at Japan, where public support for renewable energy is high, partly due to the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and the shutdown of nuclear plants, combined with favorable subsidies for renewables. I collected data on over 500 companies to find out whether cleantech firms are more successful in equity crowdfunding. Based on my analysis, I found that equity crowdfunding can actually be a viable alternative to existing financial instruments.
The insights from this study have important implications for both policymakers and entrepreneurs. Together, we can support startups that are inventing low-carbon technologies, and also community-led projects in places where the grid doesn’t reach, like small-scale off-grid hydro, contributing to local energy security.
I’m grateful to my supervisor, Prof. Tetsuji Umada, for being part of this journey, and to my friends and family for your unconditional support. Grateful to the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for making this journey possible.
Now, it’s time for job hunting (again) :(
I joined a study tour in Tokyo!
I joined a study tour in Tokyo!
I went to a "snack bar" with my English class students!
I went to a "snack bar" with my English class students!
I talked about the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its implications for Laos and ASEAN
I talked about the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its implications for Laos and ASEAN
I talked about the carbon pricing policies in Laos
I talked about the carbon pricing policies in Laos
I volunteered at a local festival!
I volunteered at a local festival!
I welcomed Lao students to Yamaguchi from other universities in the Kyushu region, Japan!
I welcomed Lao students to Yamaguchi from other universities in the Kyushu region, Japan!
I joined our university's alumni party!
I joined our university's alumni party!
I joined our university's cultural activities!
I joined our university's cultural activities!
I welcomed delegates from Kyoto University!
I welcomed delegates from Kyoto University!
I joined the ASEAN-China International Workshop on Low Carbon Investments Cooperation in Bali, Indonesia!
I joined the ASEAN-China International Workshop on Low Carbon Investments Cooperation in Bali, Indonesia!
Wrapping up the ASEAN meetings for the year!
Wrapping up the ASEAN meetings for the year!
We talked about the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) proposal from Japan!
We talked about the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) proposal from Japan!
I joined the proposal meeting for the Laos - Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership (LASEP)!
I joined the proposal meeting for the Laos - Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership (LASEP)!
I joined the Korea-Laos Energy Week 2022!
I joined the Korea-Laos Energy Week 2022!
I joined the Government's 60th Laos-Vietnam anniversary party!
I joined the Government's 60th Laos-Vietnam anniversary party!
Wrapping up the Lancang-Mekong Young Scientists, Technology, and Innovator Forum Project 2
Wrapping up the Lancang-Mekong Young Scientists, Technology, and Innovator Forum Project 2
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