Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo attends the STS Forum

1．Speech at the STS Forum

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo spoke in an STS Forum plenary session titled “Path to Sustainability toward a Zero Carbon Society," which explored necessary initiatives to deal with various decarbonization challenges. With a view to realizing carbon neutrality, he highlighted the impact of green transformation (GX) from fossil fuels to cleaner energy and digital transformation (DX), while calling for strategies that take into account the synergistic effects of GX and DX. He also presented Japan’s GX efforts as a way to address challenges in the decarbonization of society.

2．Meetings with STS Forum participants

(1) Meeting with Mr. Philippe Varin, Chair of International Chamber of Commerce

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo exchanged views with Mr. Philippe Varin, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Headquartered in France, the ICC is affiliated with national committees and groups from over 130 countries, and more than 3,000 chambers of commerce are involved in the ICC’s activities. ICC Chair Varin emphasized the need for transparency in multilateral trade rules and dispute resolution mechanisms, and pointed out issues and desired solutions from the global business perspective. Both sides exchanged views on the importance of leveraging digital technologies to cope with challenges.

(2) Meeting with Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo reaffirmed further bilateral cooperation in research and innovation, which are specified in the Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance launched at the 30th Japan-EU Summit in July and further cooperation in the quantum and other evolving technology fields. He welcomed the upcoming startup event for business collaborations organized by relevant organizations of both sides and appreciated Commissioner Zaharieva’s planned attendance at the event. Commissioner Zaharieva emphasized the EU’s intention to promote high-level cooperation in science and technology, including partnerships under Horizon Europe. She also stated that the EU would pursue future collaboration opportunities to promote cooperation in the area of quantum technology.

3. Witnessing the signing ceremony of the MOC between the KHK and JRC

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo, along with EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Zaharieva, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), with the aim of reinforcing cooperation between Japan and the EU on hydrogen safety and development. Based on the MOC, the KHK and JRC will cooperate on the following points.

• Sharing information on accidents related to implementation of hydrogen (including ammonia and other derivatives, CO2 for CCS)
• Exchange of results of R&D projects for hydrogen safety and development
• Acquiring new knowledge based on sharing information on accidents and R&D results
• Convening conferences to share information between the MOC parties

Related Links

• The 30th Japan-EU Summit
• KHK Signs a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) for Hydrogen Safety and Development with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan, October 6, 2025) （in Japanese）

Divisions in Charge

• Sections 1 and 2:

  International Affairs Office, Policy Planning and Coordination Division, Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau

• Section 3:

  Industrial Safety Policy Planning Office, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group, Minister’s Secretariat