June 17,2013. St.Petersburg,Russia. Pictured: Japanese Chemist Akira Yoshino (吉野 彰)at the press conference. Asahi Kasei Fellow Dr. Akira Yoshino has been chosen for the 2013 Global Energy Prize in recognition of “his ground-breaking work in the development of the lithium-ion rechargeable battery, the beating heart of mobile electronic devices, electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.”