Advances in Resources Research | J-STAGE Open Access

Advances in Resources Research is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing scientific understanding, engineering innovation, and systems integration of natural resource systems. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid not only to individual resource domains but also to their complex interactions and sustainability-oriented co-evolution. In this context, the journal places particular emphasis on resource dynamics and technological transitions in Northeast Asia, a key global region for resource transformation and sustainability innovation. The journal seeks to bridge regionally grounded empirical studies with globally transferable scientific and engineering frameworks, thereby promoting interdisciplinary approaches to resource security, environmental sustainability, and low-carbon development.

The journal welcomes original research articles and reviews that address both fundamental and applied challenges in resource systems, employing advanced methodologies such as artificial intelligence, multi-physics modeling, systems engineering, digital twins, and life cycle assessment. The scope of the journal is organized into four interconnected research pillars:

- Energy systems engineering: Studies on conventional and unconventional energy resources, renewable energy integration, subsurface engineering, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and energy transition systems, with particular emphasis on industrial decarbonization and regional energy restructuring.

- Smart agricultural systems: Research on crop science, soil–plant systems, AI-driven precision agriculture, smart irrigation and drainage technologies, agricultural robotics, and digital twin applications supporting sustainable agricultural intensification in temperate and cold-region environments.

- Water resource informatics: Hydrological modeling, groundwater systems, water quality dynamics, hydroinformatics, climate change impacts on water security, and intelligent water-saving technologies for agricultural, industrial, and urban applications.

- Integrated resource systems: Systems-level analysis of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus, circular economy and resource recovery engineering, life cycle assessment, and multi-objective optimization of coupled socio-ecological resource systems.

The journal is published quarterly in electronic format. All articles are freely accessible worldwide via J-STAGE, ensuring maximum global visibility. To guarantee long-term digital preservation, the journal’s content is archived in Portico. If the journal is no longer hosted on J-STAGE, all content will remain permanently accessible through the Portico archive. Additionally, published articles are deposited in the National Diet Library of Japan, securing their enduring availability for the scholarly community.

The Journal applies an Article Processing Charge (APC) of 1,000 USD for each article accepted for publication. This fee covers the essential costs of editorial management, peer review, professional typesetting, and long-term digital archiving. To foster global inclusivity, The Journal offers a robust waiver program. Authors from low-income economies or those without access to institutional or grant funding may apply for a fee reduction or a full waiver. Requests for waivers must be submitted at the time of initial manuscript submission and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

(1) Original Papers

Original Papers present methodologically rigorous and conceptually innovative research, including novel empirical findings, theoretical developments, or methodological advancements. Manuscripts must clearly define research objectives, employ robust and reproducible methodologies, and provide well-supported conclusions that make a significant contribution to the field.

(2) Review Papers

Review Papers provide comprehensive and critical syntheses of existing literature on focused topics or emerging research frontiers. They should systematically analyze previous studies, identify key challenges and knowledge gaps, and propose strategic directions for future research. While authoritative expert insights are encouraged, all discussions must be firmly grounded in a structured and balanced evaluation of the literature.