METI have just announced a big fortnight for events related to energy, climate and GX (from 26 September to 7 October).
Addressing climate change is an urgent issue that the whole world must tackle together. In particular, it is important to achieve global carbon neutrality as soon as possible in order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
On the other hand, the economic and geographical circumstances in which each country finds itself vary, and in order to advance efforts towards effective emission reduction, it is essential to accelerate ‘transitions’ that utilise a wide range of technologies and energy sources, taking into account diverse realities, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. In addition, it is important to engage developing countries in decarbonisation while promoting the creation and social implementation of innovative innovations that are not an extension of conventional technologies.
Ministers and leading global experts and leaders in various fields will be invited to the Tokyo GX Week, which will aim to realise a GX (Green Transformation) that links emission reductions to economic growth and development, while shifting from an economy, society and industrial structure that has been dependent on fossil fuels since the industrial revolution to an economy, society and industrial structure that is clean energy-centred.
Event summary:
(1) 2nd Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting (26 September)
(2) 4th International Conference on Carbon Recycling (26 September)
(3) 5th Hydrogen Ministerial Conference (26 September)
(4) 2nd International Conference on Fuel Ammonia (28 September)
(5) 11th LNG Production and Consumption Conference (29 September)
(6) 2nd Asia CCUS Network Forum (30 September)
(7) 4th TCFD Summit (5 October)
(8) 9th ICEF (5-6 October)
(9) 4th RD20 (Leaders’ Session) (6 October)
(10) 1st International GX Meeting (GGX) (7 October)
(1) The 2nd Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting
Date and time
Monday, 26 September
Place
Hotel New Otani (Hybrid)
Overview
In order to simultaneously realise economic growth and carbon neutrality in emerging economies such as Asia, diverse and realistic energy transitions are necessary, taking into account the circumstances of each country and utilising all energy sources and technologies. We plan to further discuss these ideas among participating countries based on the discussions at the AGGPM Public-Private Forum in April, and communicate them to the international community with an eye on meetings such as the G20 and COP27.
Hasegawa – Director, International Division, Director-General’s Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Hayata – Coordinator for Strategic Coordination of International Resources and Energy
Contact person: Onui, Inori, Nojiri, Sugawara
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 4491-4494)
03-3501-0598 (direct line)
03-3595-3056 (fax)
(2) The 4th International Conference on Carbon Recycling
Date and time
Monday, 26 September
Place
Online (streaming), etc.
Co-organised by
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO)
Overview
This conference will provide information on the progress of Japan’s initiatives in carbon recycling, which is a key technology for achieving carbon neutrality in the world, and will also bring together the wisdom of industry, academia and government from around the world to hold intensive discussions on the challenges of social implementation. The conference will also be timed to coincide with the launch of the Carbon Recycling Demonstration and Research Centre on Osaki-Kamijima in Hiroshima Prefecture, and will bring together the wisdom of industry, academia and government from around the world for intensive discussions on the challenges of social implementation. The aim is to further strengthen international cooperation.
Haneda – Director, Carbon Recycling Office, Director-General’s Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Contact: Takeshi, Ginzawa, Kaneda
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 4681)
03-3501-1727 (direct line)
03-3580-8564 (fax)
(3) The 5th Hydrogen Ministerial Conference
Date and time
Monday, 26 September
Place
Hotel New Otani (Hybrid)
Co-organised by
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO)
Overview
The Hydrogen Ministerial Conference was first held in Japan in 2018 for the first time in the world as a forum for promoting the use of hydrogen on a global scale and further collaboration among relevant countries in step with each other, and this year will be the fifth time it has been held. This year, in light of changes in the energy situation, the forum plans to deepen discussions on measures for energy security, promotion of involvement in hydrogen initiatives at the national and regional levels, and ways to support the promotion of hydrogen utilisation.
Hino – Director, New Energy Systems Division, Energy Conservation and New Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Contact – Murao, Yoshida, Okano, Miki, Tatenda
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 4451-4453)
03-3501-7807 (direct line)
03-3580-5308 (fax)
(4) The 2nd International Conference on Fuel Ammonia
Date and time
Wednesday, 28 September
Place
Online (to be streamed)
Co-organised by
Clean Fuels Ammonia Association (CFAA)
Overview
In order to build a stable, low-cost and flexible supply chain and market for fuel ammonia, which is effective in combating global warming, an international conference of countries, companies and organisations involved in fuel ammonia will be held to establish an international cooperation platform for those involved across national boundaries. During the conference, discussions will be deepened on the direction of efforts to increase international recognition of fuel ammonia and to expand supply and demand, involving potential supplier countries such as Saudi Arabia.
Saeki – Planning Officer, Oil and Natural Gas Division, Resources and Fuels Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Contact: Suzuki, Okamoto
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 4641-4647)
03-3501-1817 (direct line)
03-3580-8563 (fax)
(5) The 11th LNG Production and Consumption Conference
Date and time
Thursday, 29 September
Place
Online (to be streamed)
Co-organised by
Asia-Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC)
Overview.
The LNG Production and Consumption Conference is the world’s largest LNG-related international conference where producing and consuming countries gather to discuss the development of the global LNG market, and will be held for the 11th time this year. This year’s conference will deepen discussions on the future market prospects of LNG, which is attracting increasing attention from the perspective of stable energy supply as well as climate change, and the measures required from the public and private sectors amid the drastic changes in the international energy situation.
Hayata – Director, Oil and Natural Gas Division, Resources and Fuels Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Contact: Hirai, Kuwano, Endo
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 4641-4647)
03-3501-1817 (direct line)
03-3580-8563 (fax)
(6) 2nd Asia CCUS Network Forum
Date and time
Friday, 30 September
Place
Tokyo Prince Hotel (Hybrid)
Co-organised by
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia
Overview
The Asia CCUS Network was launched in June last year as an international industry-academia-government platform aiming to share knowledge and develop a business environment for the utilisation of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage) across Asia. In this second forum, the participants will review the progress made over the past year and deepen discussions on the creation of common rules and project formation for the realisation of a CCUS network across Asia through panel discussions among the participating countries.
Watanabe – Planning Officer, Policy Division, Resources and Fuels Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Contact: Yoshida, Endo
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 4631-4636)
03-3501-2773 (direct line)
03-3580-1598 (fax)
(7) 4th TCFD Summit
Date and time
Wednesday, 5 October
Place
Roppongi Midtown Hall (Hybrid)
Co-organisers.
TCFD Consortium, The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Conference website link
Overview
With the increasing importance of finance in the fight against climate change, the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures), established at the request of the G20 as a framework for climate change-related information disclosure, aims to make the disclosure of climate-related financial information mandatory for companies and others. The TCFD was established at the request of the G20 as a framework for climate change-related financial disclosures.
At this TCFD Summit, together with leaders from industry and finance, we will discuss how to improve the quality of disclosure based on common international rules, how to ensure that transition and innovation initiatives, which are important tools for achieving carbon neutrality, are assessed by investors in a qualified manner, and how disclosure should be made to encourage the supply of funds.
Kajikawa – Director, Environmental Economy Office, Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau
Contact: Inoue, Hashimoto, Okuzaki
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 3453)
03-3501-1770 (direct line)
03-3501-7697 (fax)
(8) 9th ICEF
Date and time
Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 October
Place.
Chinzan-so (hybrid)
Co-organised by
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO)
Conference website link – Innovation for Cool Earth Forum
Overview
Focusing on actions to accelerate innovation creation, the conference aims to deepen discussions among stakeholders from various countries and regions, technology experts and others, based on the shared understanding that diversification is a source of innovation. Japan will also disseminate the results of innovation actions originating from Japan, covering not only both energy demand and supply, but also carbon dioxide removal technologies and important minerals.
Koyama – Director, International Office, Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau
Contact: Koreeda, Shimizu
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 3357)
03-3501-6011 (direct line)
03-3580-8025 (fax)
(9) 4th RD20 (Leaders’ Session)
Date and time
Thursday, 6 October
Place
Tokyo Prince Hotel (Hybrid)
Conference website link
Overview
In order to link to the creation of innovations for the realisation of a carbon neutral society, the leaders of G20 research institutes in the field of clean energy technology will be brought together to discuss the strengthening of alliances between research institutes of different countries and the development of international joint research and development. In the Leaders’ Session, the leaders of research institutes will hold high-level discussions on global collaboration towards a low-carbon society, and aim to build a structure as an Initiative that will carry out year-round activities for the further materialisation of activities.
Koyama – Director, International Office, Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau
Contact: Koreeda, Miyadera
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 3357)
03-3501-6011 (direct line)
03-3580-8025 (fax)
(10) First International GX Meeting (GGX)
Date and time
Friday, 7 October
Place
Iino Hall (Hybrid)
Overview
To achieve Green Transformation (GX) across the globe, the meeting will deepen discussions on key issues such as green market design, green product rating scales and standards, and trade rules, also in conjunction with initiatives by other countries. This meeting is a new one to be held at this time.
Takahama – Director, Global Environment Policy Office, Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau
Contact: Ooka, Oura
Tel: 03-3501-1511 (ext. 3524)
03-3501-7830 (direct line)
03-3580-7697 (fax)
Category: Uncategorized
Australian Japan Business Council Launch – Speech
Good evening.
My name is Richard Sandover. I am current chair of Australia Japan Business Council.
Governor Beazley, Ambassador Yamagami, Consul-General Suzuki, Deputy Premier Roger Cook, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for attending the launch of the Australia Japan Business Council.
Governor Beazley, thank you for your generous words. AJBC acknowledges your support of our council. We thank you for hosting this event. Throughout your public life you have had a deep interest in global geo-politics. During your political life particularly with respect to the ministerial portfolios you held and then later as Australian Ambassador to the United States of America, you have had an opportunity to shape the politics of our region. Through your public service, you have made a real contribution to the strengthening of Australia’s global economic and security interests and we are the beneficiaries.
Ambassador Yamagami, Australia Japan Business Council is honoured that you could attend this event. In the relatively short time since your appointment as Japanese Ambassador to Australia you have demonstrated a significant interest in Western Australia. Despite the pandemic and closing of the WA border you have visited WA on two occasions, once before the border shutdown and now following the border’s opening. Thank you for your informative and supportive speech. Australia is fortunate to have such a pro-active and energetic Japanese Ambassador posted to Canberra.
I would like to introduce our Executive Committee, our indefatigable Deputy Chair Mayumi Laughton-Smith, David McCulloch, Andrew Tan, Jack Smith and Tamas Zegrean. Tamas is unfortunately unable to attend tonight and proffers his apologies. The fact that AJBC has been able to open for business in the midst of the pandemic, is down to these energetic, knowledgeable and engaged people.
We wish to thank Governor Beazley’s team at Government House for their guidance with this event and their steadiness in maintaining an air of optimism, that despite the challenges raised by the pandemic, the ‘show must go on’.
I first visited Japan in 1971 as a member of a schoolboy water polo team coached by the former Olympian Tom Hoad. Ever since then I have had a regard for Japan, supported by my late grandmother, Lady Kathleen Sandover, who in her 70’s took up learning the Japanese language. My interest in Japan was strengthened by 43 years as a lawyer and partner in the commercial law firm Jackson McDonald, concluding in 2021. Throughout, Jackson McDonald advised both Australian and Japanese clients in relation to a slew of projects that have come to define our Western Australian economy from the Pilbara iron ore industry, the north-west shelf, subsequent LNG and other mining and engineering projects and beyond.
So, why the need for Australia Japan Business Council focussing on Western Australia? With its formation Australia Japan Business Council is intending to assist Western Australian business to widen and deepen our business and trade relationships with Japan. AJBC wants to help WA business to connect with their Japanese business counterparts, to foster better understanding between our peoples and assist where possible in promoting investment and market opportunities.
AJBC is a not-for-profit entity. All committee members serve on a pro bono basis. By building a diverse membership on the back of AJBC’s promise of engagement with members, scheduling of ongoing events of interest and collaborating with other likeminded organisations, Australia Japan Business Council believes it can help build an additional bridge between Japanese and Australian business.
In this respect, we urge your companies to take up corporate membership of AJBC and nominate people in your organisation who are ready and willing to make a positive contribution to promoting the Japan Australia business relationship.
AJBC will work with members to ensure their interests are promoted and enhanced. It will strive to give members a vibrant forum in which they can share information, seek trading partners and alliances and promote their business interests.
In this vein, in collaboration with Australia Japan Business Council, AJBC’s first platinum member, ISA Technologies, a global leader in creating and managing secure health networks, is participating, along with others, in framing up an event featuring cyber security. As we have seen recently, infrastructure and systems such as pipeline networks, power generation systems and health networks are susceptible to cyber-attack. This event will entail a deep dive into the area. We are hoping to feature speakers who have consulted to various international bodies on this subject. We anticipate running the event in May.
Interspersed with subject matter events, AJBC will host events where networking will be the primary goal centred around an interesting speaker either selected by a member or a visitor to WA who has something new and insightful to communicate of relevance to the Australia Japan relationship.
Whether it be mining, or energy projects and allied services, WA has had an enduring and important economic relationship with Japan. This trading relationship from WA’s side, has over time extended to tourism, grains, meat, packaged food and beverage, horticultural products, international education and innovation in cyber security, robotics, health and medical and more.
The Australia Japan economic relationship in today’s changing regional context cannot stand in isolation, however. It must go hand in hand with a strong security relationship. The existing relationship built on trust and respect has seen enactment of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, revival of the TPP following the departure of USA as a member and the re-energising of the QUAD initiative involving Japan, Australia, India and USA. The recent signing by the respective Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia of the Reciprocal Access Agreement Treaty facilitating the inter-operability of our respective defence forces, is a further manifestation of this.
At this time of regional uncertainty, Australia Japan Business Council believes it is important to re-focus on strengthening engagement with Japan at a business and community level, as well as a political and security level.
Owing to our wind and solar potential and the discovery in WA of the Julimar strategic minerals province and generally of significant strategic minerals such as palladium, lithium, cobalt, rare earths, along with existing copper and nickel, opportunities to partner and trade with Japan now extend into emerging renewable hydrogen, lithium battery materials and critical minerals industries. Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and co-ordinating lead author for the UN’s IPCC report on transport due out on 4 April, describes these opportunities as the new ‘Lithium Valley’.
The rules based international order is under strain. AJBC believes that in a changing regional context, the Australia Japan relationship, resting as it does on trust and respect gained over many years, liberal representative democracies and a shared rules-based order, underpins the business opportunities and partnerships existing and emerging in Western Australia. AJBC believes there is a need for a Business Council that is broader in sectoral scope, which offers a platform for WA SMEs as well as large corporations to access the Japanese market and develop trade and investment partnerships and alliances.
We hope you will join us outside for some refreshment and networking. When you leave, please take a show bag. Inside are the AJBC Strategy document, schedule of forthcoming events, membership tariff card and some wonderful gifts from 2 exceptional SME’s already exporting to Japan. These are a Woodlands Wines Shiraz and wonderful Nakamura Chocolates. I understand that by value, Woodlands is WA’s leading wine exporter to Japan and Nakamura Chocolates made in WA already have a premium distribution network in Japan with a dedicated retail outlet in Kobe.
Thank you for your participation in this event.
Richard Sandover
March 2022