Global Business Symposium on Green Energy Offshore Wind, Hydrogen and Regional Revitalization as Innovative Environment Innovation (Outcome) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• (1) On Friday, March 25th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the “Global Business Seminar on Green Energy Frontier Offshore Wind Power, Hydrogen Energy and Regional Revitalization as Innovative Environment Innovation” (co-organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), in cooperation with: Cabinet Office, JETRO).
• (2) The theme of this seminar is to promote direct investment in Japan, focusing on offshore wind power, which is the backbone of renewable energy, and hydrogen energy, which is known as the trump card of decarbonization. About 250 people from Japan’s economic organizations, chambers of commerce, government and local governments attended the meeting and had a lively discussion on the prospects for expanding investment in Japan and the attractiveness of the place. (Program (PDF))

• (1) In the beginning, as Minister of Foreign Affairs Miyake said in his opening remarks, in order to realize a carbon-free society that is indispensable for addressing climate change, it is necessary to reform not only the energy supply structure, but also the industrial structure and people’s lives. He explained that major changes are needed in society as a whole, such as the state of local economies. He also emphasized that there is an urgent need to increase investment in the field of green energy, and the realization of a carbon-neutral economy and society will also become the growth engine of the new era. Next, he explained the target of doubling Japan’s direct investment balance to 80 trillion yen by 2030, reaching 12% of GDP, which was decided last June. At the same time, boosting investment in Japan is productivity. He explained that it is important to promote economic growth by improving and revitalizing the regional economy. Finally, he introduced the Japanese government’s efforts to promote direct investment, including improving the investment environment.
• (2) Subsequently, Francesco La Camera, Secretary-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), delivered a keynote speech, first expounding IRENA’s views on the path of the 1.5-degree temperature rise control agreement reached at COP26. .. explained that electrification and energy efficiency along with technological innovations are key to decarbonization, and such technological innovations will also lead to overcoming the economic downturn caused by the current corona disaster. He said that solar and wind power technologies are the backbone of energy conversion, and the advancement of offshore wind power, especially floating offshore wind power, is extremely important. He also explained that IRENA’s research in this area is attracting the attention of many countries as a new decarbonization measure, especially in the fields of ships, aircraft and heavy industry. As for the socioeconomic impact of the energy transition, IRENA estimates that 43 million jobs will be created globally by the 2050 target, and he said he plans to publish a “footprint”. Following this keynote speech, there was a dialogue between Parliamentary Deputy Minister Miyake and Secretary General Racamera and a discussion on the importance of energy security to the situation in Ukraine.

Moderator: Ueda Eden, General Manager of International Department of Japan Wind Power Association
Speaker Mitsuhiro Nishida Director, Office of Strategic Planning, Bureau of Natural Resources and Energy
Theme (1) “The Sixth Basic Energy Plan”
Initially, in terms of the situation in Ukraine, Japan’s energy self-sufficiency ratio to Russia was above 10%, the lowest level among OECD members, but Japan will continue to keep pace with G7 countries in imposing sanctions on Russia. There is an explanation and we will respond . In addition, although Japan is said to have delayed the introduction of renewable energy, it is said that solar power generation is one of the highest in the world, and about 6 GW of offshore wind power will be introduced in the future. 2030. It was explained that their goal was, and it was suggested, that laws be enacted on the use of sea areas for this purpose. He also explained that building a hydrogen supply chain is key to achieving the 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

B. Speaker Mutsumi Yamada BW Ideol Country Manager
Theme (2) “Japan’s Attraction and Expectation for Offshore Wind Power Generation”
With many years of experience working as a floating offshore wind turbine engineering company and business development company, BW Ideol has been involved in floating offshore wind turbine demonstration projects in Kitakyushu and the Atlantic coast since 2018. The experience of winning large-scale bidding projects in Scotland was introduced. Floating offshore wind power is suitable for shallow water areas around Japan, and Japan’s floating offshore wind power will take the lead in the future. The key, he explained, is being able to commercialize as quickly as possible to keep up with the pace of overseas powers.
　　　
Speaker Etsuki Ueda General Manager, International Department, Japan Wind Power Association
“Recent Business Exchange Meeting”
Regarding the efforts of the Japan Wind Power Association, Japanese companies have high technical capabilities in offshore wind power, but they have little experience and can learn from the experience of foreign companies. Introduce cases where the needs of both parties are connected and the successful connection is made. In recent years, attention has been increasing in the field of offshore wind power, and we have been implementing measures such as dispatching study groups to Europe, holding seminars, and explaining that cooperation with overseas companies is progressing.

C. Speaker Hideki Endo, Director and General Manager of Power Energy System Project Department, Chiyoda Corporation
Theme (3) “Hydrogen Production and Hydrogen Supply Chain Using Renewable Energy”
Offshore wind power is one of the solutions to use the surplus electricity and water of offshore wind power as a stable supply, while stating that the power supply area and the demand area are different, depending on the weather conditions. Hydrogen Transfer and Storage Technology (SPERA), and presented Chiyoda’s operations in Brunei and Kawasaki. He also mentioned the high cost of the hydrogen supply chain and the importance of suppliers’ efforts to reduce costs and incentives introduced early by the government.

Taichi Yawaki, head of the Renewable Energy Promotion Team, Industry Promotion Department, Goto City
Theme: “Ocean Energy Initiative for Zero-Carbon Cities in 2050”
When explaining Goto City’s achievements in renewable energy (wind power generation, solar power generation, electric vehicles, etc.), he said that the city’s electricity self-sufficiency rate has reached 56.3%. With experience in commercialization and commercialization of floating offshore wind power generation, we successfully produced hydrogen using surplus power from floating offshore wind power generation in 2014, and hydrogen fuel cell ships in 2024. Floating offshore wind power wind farm business plan launched. He also emphasized that these efforts have created jobs and environmental protection for the city.

Katsuro Nagai, Deputy Director General of the Cabinet Office Secretariat (Responsible for Economic and Financial Management) and Director of the Japan Foreign Direct Investment Promotion Office
So far, economic and social activity has been hampered by the corona disaster, but he said he hopes to change that by revitalizing direct investment in Japan, including in the renewable energy sector. In addition, Japan exists as an attractive market and attracts foreign companies and foreign investors to achieve the goal of doubling Japan’s direct investment balance to 80 trillion yen by 2030, or 12% of GDP. The business environment, the attraction strategy that leverages regional advantages, and the matching of foreign companies with local companies, the government will continue to make firm responses through institutional reforms and budgetary measures.