Japan, EU hold hydrogen business forum to deepen ties

The European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito on Monday held a high-level hydrogen business forum in Japan to strengthen cooperation on hydrogen.

According to a joint press statement, the two agreed on several points, including to cooperate on supply and demand-side policies in clean energy sectors, starting with wind, solar and hydrogen. They shared concerns about dependence on specific sources of supply for strategic goods and recognised the need to promote a level playing field.

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The forum discussed industrial cooperation, finance and supporting measures, and research and development, with the participation of Japanese and EU energy industry executives.

According to Simson’s published opening remarks, the goals of the meeting are to foster stronger ties and exchange innovative ideas between European and Japanese business leaders; and to deliver on the EU and Japan’s mutual goal to rapidly develop and rollout hydrogen technologies.

“Hydrogen will be an internationally traded commodity, and close EU-Japan cooperation will be essential for promoting renewable and low-carbon hydrogen globally and ensuring standards and regulation converge,” she said.