2nd Green Revolution has written about the potential positive impacts of strong U.S. – Japan cooperation on clean energy technology. It is therefore exciting to see the two governments now taking steps toward further exchange and teamwork in that sector. On May 4th, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Minister Toshihiro Nikai and US Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu met to discuss current and potential ways in which Japan and the U.S. can cooperate on clean technology. The joint statement issued by Japan’s METI and the US Department of Energy lies the foundation for further engagement in four main areas:

I. Enhanced Cooperation Among National Laboratories

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Japan’s Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
• Sandia National Laboratory and AIST
• Los Alamos National Laboratory and AIST
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and AIST
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and AIST

II. Low Carbon Technologies

(1) Smart Grid
(2) Energy Efficient Buildings including Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB)
(3) Solar Energy
(4) Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles and Fuel Cell Vehicles (EVs, PHVs, and   FCVs)
(5) Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
(6) Green Information Technologies
(7) Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

III. Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy

(1) Cooperation on R&D in the nuclear energy field including advanced sodium-cooled fast reactor technology, and advanced fuel cycle technology that contributes to a proliferation resistant fuel cycle.
(2) Collaboration on potential financing support measures that promote new nuclear power plant construction, and other financial issues.
(3) Joint training programs for engineers and internships for students.
(4) Study on the role of nuclear energy as a carbon-free electric source in international frameworks.
(5) Discussion of international frameworks for nuclear liability including the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC).
(6) Exchange of views on methods of maintaining a stable fuel supply.
(7) Cooperation with third-party countries to develop the infrastructure for nuclear safety, security, etc.
(8) Cooperation in international frameworks such as the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

IV. International Cooperation in Energy and Environment

Please see the joint statement for further details. Now that there is a framework upon which to build, it will be interesting to see what kind of concrete measures are taken to implement these ideas.

- Justin Manger