Joint Statement Between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the United States Department of Energy on Cooperation toward Energy Security and Clean Energy Transition

On May 4, 2022, United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan HAGIUDA Koichi met in Washington D.C. to discuss the situation surrounding global energy security, strengthening energy cooperation between the United States and Japan, and policies and initiatives to address the global climate crisis.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) recognize the importance of maintaining energy security for ourselves and our allies in the midst of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. To this end, METI and DOE emphasize the importance of the free and open global commerce of oil and natural gas amongst friendly nations in the short-term, while simultaneously focusing on the continuing transition to renewable energy, energy efficiency, nuclear power and other sources of clean energy.  METI and DOE welcome the contributions of all countries who participated in the recent coordinated releases of petroleum reserves led by the International Energy Agency (IEA).  We also recognize the significant role which U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) plays in alleviating global supply constraints caused by Russia's invasion in Ukraine. To facilitate a stable and cleaner supply of LNG, METI and DOE continue to consult on markets and collaborate on methane emission reduction measures.    

METI and DOE acknowledge that the climate crisis is an existential threat to our two nations and the broader international community.  We share the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, and commit to working toward respective ambitious 2030 targets in-line with keeping the global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius.

METI and DOE emphasize that the path to net-zero emissions will be forged through a combination of technological innovation and implementation of appropriate policies. We are working jointly to develop cutting-edge clean energy solutions in areas that include offshore wind, geothermal energy, industrial decarbonization, hydrogen, fuel ammonia, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS)/Carbon Recycling, nuclear power, and methane emission reduction.

METI and DOE welcome recent developments in scientific and commercial cooperation between Japan and the United States. This includes significant cross-border investment in renewable power and small modular nuclear reactors, scientific collaboration on clean-up activities at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on CCUS/Carbon Recycling, and a wide array of clean energy demonstration projects. Many of these efforts tap into the expertise of our respective agencies as well as our national laboratories and research agencies.

The U.S.-Japan Climate Partnership, and the U.S.-Japan Competitiveness and Resilience (CoRe) Partnership, launched by the leaders of Japan and the United States in April 2021, is a centerpiece of METI-DOE collaboration. Under these Partnerships, METI and DOE agreed to establish a bilateral Clean Energy and Energy Security Initiative (CEESI) to engage in regular dialogue on clean energy and energy security, as well as to conduct joint analysis, research, development, and innovation in areas key to our mutual climate goals. The CEESI will promote clean energy transitions to achieve both energy security and net-zero emissions for the United States and Japan.

Recognizing that all nations around the world, both the developed and the developing, should scale up actions to address the climate crisis, METI and DOE continue to collaborate on assisting third countries on their path towards decarbonization, including through the Japan-U.S. Clean Energy Partnership (JUCEP).  This includes joint engagement on energy planning, analysis, research, and development.

Based on the above recognition and efforts, METI and DOE will work closely, not only bilaterally, but also in various international frameworks including the G7, G20, COP, APEC and QUAD to promote both the realization of a net-zero economy and the assurance of global energy security.