Japan-EU Energy Ministerial Meeting and Hydrogen High-Level Business Forum Held

1. The Japan-EU Energy Ministerial Meeting and the Hydrogen High-Level Business Forum (Japan-EU Hydrogen Business Forum)

(1) Date:

Monday, June 3, 2024

(2) Venue

The Okura Tokyo

(3) Outline of the program

1. Japan-EU ministerial session
2. Signing of MOUs
3. Japan-EU private industries session

(4) Key points of the results

Following the agreement in 2023 between Prime Minister Kishida and President Von der Leyen of the European Commission to advance Japan-Europe cooperation in the field of hydrogen, METI organized the Japan-EU Hydrogen Business Forum on June 3, 2024.

The forum brought together Minister Saito, Commissioner Simson, and top-level executives of Japanese and EU companies that are active in the hydrogen business, and participants held lively discussions on related industries, finance, support measures, and research and development.

As an outcome of the forum, Japan and the EU issued a joint press statement, which states that the two sides agree to: cooperate on supply and demand-side policies in the field of clean energy; establish the Japan-EU Clean Energy Industrial Policy Dialogue to discuss proper evaluation of non-price elements, such as decarbonization, stable supply and cybersecurity, based on the principles of transparency, diversity, safety, sustainability, and reliability; and formulate a joint working plan to cooperate in the field of hydrogen.

In addition, witnessed by Minister Saito and Commissioner Simson, the following hydrogen-related organizations signed cooperation documents to promote collaboration between themselves.

• Japan Hydrogen Association (JH2A) and Hydrogen Europe
• New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (CHJU)
• Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and H2GLOBAL
• JH2A and H2GLOBALs
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Daimler Truck AG

　 　

• Hydrogen Europe and JH2A
• CHJU and NEDO

• H2Global Foundation and JOGMEC
• H2Global Foundation and JH2A
• Daimler Truck AG and Kawasaki Heavy Industries

2. Opinion Exchange Meeting on Hydrogen Collaboration between Japanese and EU Companies

This meeting brought together the following top executives of hydrogen-related companies in Japan.

• Nikkaku Akihiko, Chairman and Representative Member of the Board, Toray Industries, Inc.
• Kanehana Yoshinori, Director and Chairman of the Board, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Okuda Hisahide, President, Director, CEO and COO, JERA Co., Inc.
• Ide Hiroshi, Representative Director and President, IHI Corporation
• Majima Hiroshi, President, Iwatani Corporation
• Kunibe Takeshi, Chairman of the Board, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
• Kato Masahiko, President and CEO, Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

It also brought together the following top executives of hydrogen-related companies in the EU.

• Manfred Schuckert, Vice President, Head of Regulatory Strategy & International Hydrogen Strategy, Daimler Truck AG
• Andreas Lehmann, CSO, Hydrogenious
• Markus Exenberger, Executive Director, H2Global Foundation
• Dennis Schulz, CEO, ITM Power
• Helle Kristoffersen, President for Asia and Member of Executive Committee, TotalEnergies

Participants explained the potential for collaboration between Japan and the EU in the field of hydrogen and future business development. In addition, Japanese companies expressed their intention to conduct active domestic investment and financing.

Minister Saito reported to Prime Minister Kishida that the Japan-EU Hydrogen Business Forum was held based on the agreement reached in 2023 between the leaders of Japan and the EU and that lively discussions took place at the forum. He also shared his expectations for the future initiatives by these companies in the field of hydrogen.

Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the fact that domestic investment in the field of hydrogen has become more active and that domestic investment and financing are expected to reach as much as 4 trillion yen. In addition, he stated that Japan and the EU should work together to build a transparent and resilient supply chain and exert leadership in the global clean energy market.

Related Material

• Joint Press Statement by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito and the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson Japan-EU Energy Ministerial Meeting and Hydrogen High-Level Business Forum(PDF:139KB)

Related Links

• MOFA HP: The 29th Japan-EU Summit Meeting
• PM Office of Japan: Joint Press Conference by the Leaders of Japan and the European Union

Division in Charge

Hydrogen and Ammonia Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy