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METI Minister Nishimura Visits Eight European Countries
May 8, 2023
From April 29 (Sat.) to May 8 (Mon.), 2023, Mr. Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, visited eight European countries (Iceland, Denmark, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania). In those countries, he held meetings with related ministers and signed joint statements and memorandums. He also strove to enhance public-private relationships in trade and investment and other ties, while being accompanied by a startup mission in France and a business mission in Bulgaria and Romania.
As a representative of the chair country of the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit, Minister Nishimura visited a G7 member country as well as Central, Eastern and Northern European countries, endeavoring to enhance Japan-European collaboration, including strengthening supply chains inside and outside the G7 countries, promoting trade and investment with trustworthy partners, and promoting green transformation worldwide.
1. Iceland
(1) Visiting Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, a carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant Orca, and other sites (April 30)
Minister Nishimura visited Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, a CCS plant “Orca”, and other facilities advancing leading efforts for carbon neutrality. The companies operating these facilities explained to him their past efforts, future policies, and so forth. He also exchanged opinions with representatives of the facilities on future CCS in Japan and the potential for geothermal cooperation.
(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate (April 30)
The two ministers exchanged views on energy security, cooperation to achieve green transformation, and other issues. They confirmed the strengthening of bilateral economic collaboration. Moreover, they signed a joint statement to promote geothermal energy cooperation.
2. Denmark
(1) Meeting with Mr. Henrik Andersen, CEO, VESTAS (May 1)
Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Mr. Andersen, CEO, VESTAS. The two sides exchanged views on Japan's efforts for offshore wind power generation and the company's future business development in Japan.
(2) Round-table meeting on re-skilling (May 1)
Minister Nishimura held a round-table meeting to exchange views with experts from the Ministry of Employment of Denmark. The meeting focused on Denmark’s leading labor policy of “flexicurity,” a strategy for employment encompassing both flexibility and safety in the labor market.
3. Belgium
(1) Visiting Imec (May 1)
Minister Nishimura exchanged views with Mr. Luc Van den hove, CEO, Imec, for cooperation in the development of next-generation semiconductors. He also visited a state-of-the-art research facility for semiconductor manufacturing technology on the company’s premises, learning about its state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, human resource development and other environments during the tour.
(2) Meeting with H.E. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for an Economy that Works for People, and Trade Commissioner (May 2)
In light of the results of the G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting in April 2023, Japan and the EU confirmed the strengthening of Japan-EU collaboration toward the 2023 G7 Summit Meeting, the Trade Ministers' Meeting in October 2023, and the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13). The two sides also discussed continued Japan-EU collaboration in certain areas, such as among like-minded countries to ensure economic security. Moreover, Minister Nishimura encouraged the EU to lift its import restrictions on Japanese food products.
4. France
(1) Visiting STATION F (May 2)
Accompanied by the members of a mission consisting of 15 Japanese startups, Minister Nishimura visited STATION F to learn about France’s startup policies and other initiatives. He also exchanged views with representatives of STATION F as an effort to create a startup ecosystem in Japan.
(2) H.E. Mr. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy, Finance and the Recovery and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty (May 2)
Japan and France confirmed the importance of strengthening Japan-France collaboration to ensure economic security, such as responding to economic coercion and enhancing the robustness of supply chains. They also held discussions on fortifying Japan-France collaboration in the fields of industry and energy, such as cooperation in the field of startups, including the accompanying 15 Japanese startups.
(3) Meeting with H.E. Ms. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Energy Transition (May 3)
Japan and France held discussions on the results of the G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo held in April 2023, and on further progress in Japan-France cooperation in clean energy technology and other topics. Moreover, taking the opportunity of this meeting, they signed a joint statement on nuclear energy cooperation between Japan and France.
Reference: Related press release
(4) Delivering a speech at Paris île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (May 3)
Minister Nishimura visited Paris île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he addressed industrial players and experts to deliver a policy speech on collaboration between Japan and France and between Japan and Europe in light of the dramatically changing international situation. In view of the current times, as global society faces the serious issue of challenges by authoritarianism to international order, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Minister Nishimura stated the importance of cooperation between like-minded countries, including France and Japan. He emphasized the need to reduce risks in fields such as energy security, to foster and protect critical emerging technologies, enhance the robustness of supply chains, respond to economic coercion, and collaborate with the Global South.
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In France, accompanying Minister Nishimura’s visit to the country, 15 Japanese startups participated in this occasion as Japan’s mission. They visited a local facility related to a startup ecosystem and related organizations and held a networking event with industrial players in the country.
5. Czech Republic
Meeting with H.E. Mr. Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade (May 4)
Minister Nishimura encouraged the Czech Republic to improve the business environment for Japanese companies expanding business in the country. The two ministers held discussions on the potential for cooperation on energy security and energy transition, while sharing their awareness of issues involving these fields.
Moreover, taking the opportunity of the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation to enhance nuclear energy collaboration. At the same time, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Ministry of Investment of the Czech Republic signed an agreement for renewing the memorandum of cooperation on trade and investment.
6. Poland
(1) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Waldemar Buda, Minister of Economic Development and Technology (May 4)
Minister Nishimura encouraged Poland to improve the business environment for Japanese companies expanding business in the country. The ministers also agreed to launch regular meetings between METI and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland. Taking the opportunity of the meeting, JETRO and the Investment and Trade Agency of Poland (PAIH) signed an agreement to renew their memorandum of understanding, and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation Joint Stock Company (KUKE) of Poland signed a memorandum of understanding. Japan and Poland confirmed their commitment to stimulating trade and economic activities in the third countries including Ukraine of Japanese and Polish companies and encouraging their business.
(2) Meeting with H.E. Ms. Anna Moskwa, Minister of Climate and Environment (May 4)
The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of clean energy, including hydrogen, ammonia and CCS. Minister Moskwa expressed her agreement for Japan’s idea of seeking diverse and realistic approaches that meet the circumstances of each country to achieve the common goal of net-zero emissions. The ministers also confirmed collaboration for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Moreover, taking the opportunity of the meeting, they signed a memorandum of cooperation that covers enhanced public-private cooperation and other efforts concerning hydrogen policies and establishment of international supply chains.
7. Bulgaria
(1) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Nikola Stojanov, Minister of Economy and Industry, and H.E. Mr. Alexander Poulev, Minister of Innovation and Growth (May 5)
Minister Nishimura visited Bulgaria, becoming the first Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan to do so in about 50 years. The ministers confirmed enhancement of bilateral economic ties and held discussions on the potential for cooperation in the field of creating innovation, including development of highly skilled IT human resources and startups. Moreover, taking the opportunity of the meeting, Minister Nishimura and Minister Stojanov signed a joint statement to promote economic cooperation in digital and innovation areas.
(2) Visiting INSAIT (May 5)
Accompanied by members of a business mission consisting of seven Japanese companies, Minister Nishimura visited INSAIT, an IT-related research institute established to create world-class innovation in the Eastern European region. With H.E. Mr. Atanas Pekanov, Deputy Prime Minister, also attending, Japan and INSAIT, together with industrial players in the country, exchanged views toward Japan-Bulgaria collaboration in innovation. Prof. Martin Vechev, founder of INSAIT, who is a leading expert in the field of computer science, and other stakeholders provided further explanations.
8. Romania
(1) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Sebastian-loan BURDUJA, Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (May 6)
Minister Nishimura visited Romania, becoming the first Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan to do so. The two ministers confirmed that their countries would fortify collaboration between Japanese and Romanian companies by taking advantage of highly skilled Romanian human resources as opportunities warrant, such as with this visit and a variety of future events, and also that the two countries would cooperate in making efforts to support Ukraine. Moreover, taking the opportunity of the meeting, the ministers signed a joint statement to promote economic cooperation in digital and innovation areas.
(2) Attending a business round-table meeting (May 6)
Minister Nishimura, Minister Burduja, members from eight companies of the business mission and representatives of Romanian companies participated in the meeting to exchange views on strengthening bilateral collaboration for innovation in the field of IT.
Divisions in Charge
Information on the visit to Europe:
Europe Division, Trade Policy Bureau
Information on the joint statement on geothermal energy cooperation:
Fuel Policy Planning Office, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Information on the joint statement on nuclear energy
Nuclear Energy Policy Planning Division, Electricity and Gas Industry Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Information on the memorandum of cooperation on hydrogen
Advanced Energy Systems and Structure Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy