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  5. METI Minister Nishimura and METI State Minister Nakatani Hold Meetings with Ministers and International Organizations’ Heads Participating in the G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo

METI Minister Nishimura and METI State Minister Nakatani Hold Meetings with Ministers and International Organizations’ Heads Participating in the G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo

April 17, 2023

From April 14 to 16, 2023, Mr. Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mr. Nakatani Shinichi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, held meetings with ministers and international organizations’ heads who participated in the G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo. At each meeting, the participants enriched discussions on bilateral cooperation and also confirmed that they would cooperate in simultaneous promotion of ensured energy security and measures against climate change.

1. H.E. Mr. Arifin Tasrif, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Republic of Indonesia

The ministers discussed the future direction of cooperation in the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) and also recognized the important development of a hydropower project generation in the Kayan River in North Kalimantan for clean energy transition and decarbonization of power sector in Indonesia.

Moreover, they welcomed the memorandum of understanding to contribute to energy transition that was concluded between the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and PT Pertamina (Persero) (PERTAMINA).

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2. H.E. Mr. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Italy

The ministers exchanged views on the discussions held at the G7 ministers’ meeting, bilateral cooperation and other topics and agreed to make a well-balanced choice to achieve carbon neutrality. In addition, they jointly recognized the importance of hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Furthermore, Minister Nishimura stated the need to seek a variety of options in the field of automobiles, and the two sides confirmed their collaboration.

3. H.E. Ms. Jennifer M. Granholm, United States Secretary of Energy

The two ministers concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation on geothermal energy and confirmed that Japan and the U.S. would advance cooperation in fields that are of interest to both countries, such as supercritical geothermal power generation. Moreover, they confirmed the importance of cooperation in a wide range of energy fields, such as hydrogen, natural gas and LNG, and nuclear energy, and particularly the significance of investment in green technologies. Furthermore, Secretary Granholm visited and toured a hydrogen carrier ship and highly commended this initiative.

4. Hon. Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, Canada

Minister Nishimura stated the importance of the relationship with Canada as partner countries in terms of critical mineral resources and the need for cooperation in building global supply chains in the field of storage batteries. Minister Wilkinson stated that Canada would continue to provide cooperation. Moreover, the Ministers confirmed that Japan and Canada would continue to work together in a wide range of energy fields, such as LNG and nuclear energy.

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5. Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Minister Nishimura expressed his gratitude for IEA’s cooperation in analyses and other efforts in a variety of fields, including further dissemination of hydrogen and ammonia to which the concept of carbon intensity with a focus on emission reductions is applied, actions for addressing annual and seasonal changes in renewable energy, and prospects of the natural gas market and investments. Following this, the two sides confirmed that Japan and the IEA would continue to cooperate in such fields as nuclear energy, critical mineral resources, and AZEC.

6. Rt. Hon. Mr. Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the United Kingdom

Japan welcomed the U.K.’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). At the same time, the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in the field of energy, such as nuclear energy, offshore wind power generation and hydrogen.

Concerning the field of nuclear energy, Minister Nishimura expressed his gratitude for the U.K.’s budgetary support for the development of high-temperature gas reactors. Following this, the two sides confirmed that they would continue to cooperate in certain fields, such as further investments by Japan. Moreover, concerning the field of hydrogen, they exchanged views on various efforts, including support measures related to the cost gap between conventional energy and renewable energy.

7. H.E. Ms. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition, France

The two ministers agreed to continue to fortify bilateral cooperation based on Roadmap on Japan-France Cooperation for Opening New Horizons between Japan and France under an Exceptional Partnership. Moreover, the ministers agreed to further consolidate Japan-France collaboration in the field of nuclear energy, such as: development and construction of next-generation innovative reactors including fast reactors; strengthening highly reliable nuclear supply chains; and establishment of a nuclear fuel cycle including technologies for reprocessing spent MOX fuels. Minister Nishimura urged Minister Runacher to lift the EU's import restrictions on Japanese food products and asked their understanding regarding the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

8. H.E. Ms. Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy

The two sides agreed that Japan and the EU will further fortify cooperation under the Japan-EU Green Alliance, where hydrogen was highlighted. Moreover, they held discussions on accelerating the introduction of heat pumps across the EU countries to further facilitate energy efficiency, and cooperation in the area of carbon recycling fuels and synthetic fuels, e.g., e-methane and e-fuel. Minister Nishimura urged Federal Commissioner Simson to immediately lift the EU's import restrictions on Japanese food products and asked their understanding regarding the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

9. H.E. John F. Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

The two sides confirmed to cooperate on the promotion of decarbonization around the world with executing bilateral leadership.

Moreover, they confirmed the progress made in the projects jointly tackled by Japanese and U.S. companies in the field of decarbonization, including the field of nuclear energy.

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10. Meeting with H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-Designate of COP28, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE

Both sides highlighted the need to build supply chains of hydrogen and ammonia to maximize the climate and social economic benefits, while bringing the cost down. Both sides confirmed to work together in driving shared ambitions from the G7 towards COP28 for accelerating decarbonizing advanced technology by Japan-UAE Coordination Scheme for Advanced Technology (JU-CAT), and transition finance to keep us aligned with a 1.5 pathway. Both sides signed the MOC of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM*) and witnessed the signing of (1) Strategic Collaboration Agreement for clean ammonia production between ADNOC, Mitsui Co., INPEX and JOGMEC, (2)Strategic Collaboration Agreement in the hydrogen field between ADNOC and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

* JCM; JCM is a system to implement the GHG emission reduction projects for the diffusion of Japan’s decarbonizing technologies in the partner countries and appropriately evaluate contributions from Japan to the achieved GHG emission reductions or removals in a quantitative manner while issuing as JCM credits, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of both Japan and the partner country under the Paris Agreement. Through the signing of this MoC, UAE became the 26th partner country.
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11. Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

State Minister Nakatani held a meeting with Mr. Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, and discussed cooperation in renewable energy and hydrogen. In particular, the two sides agreed to advance specific cooperation, such as promoting innovation including perovskite solar cells, floating offshore wind power generation and other efforts, and collaboration through AZEC.

Division in Charge

International Affairs Division, Commissioner’s Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy