Japan-California Green Shipping Corridor Symposium
2023/10/24
On October 20 at the Los Angeles Port Authority, the California Department of Transportation (CALSTA) organized the Japan-California Green Shipping Corridor Symposium, a conference based on the purposes of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between the Japanese MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism) and CALSTA, which itself was one of the major outcomes of California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis’s economic mission to Japan in March 2023. The symposium discussed continuing mutual cooperation and the development of projects in California ports by Japanese companies.
One day prior to this symposium, the Ports of Oakland and Long Beach signed an LOI with the Port of Yokohama for mutual cooperation on decarbonization, strengthening another link in the cooperation between Japan and California.
Consul General Sone welcomed participants at the symposium, speaking about the growing role of Japanese companies in California, where progressive efforts are being made in the realm of environmental regulations, including those to address climate change. Noting the $1.2 billion federal government grant announced this month for California to establish a hydrogen hub, Consul General Sone emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation with Japan, especially in hydrogen technology.
At the symposium, the Japanese MLIT proposed the need for a common system for decarbonized ports in Japan and the U.S.; the directors of four ports each in California and Japan (in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Hueneme, and in Kobe, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Yokohama, respectively) reported on their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through environmentally friendly shipping sector agreements; and the technical cooperation and demonstration projects of Japanese companies were introduced by Japan Hydrogen Forum, NYK Line, Toyota Tsusho America, Toyota Motor North America, and others.
Videos：
Japan-California port decarbonization & green shipping corridor symposium（October 20, 2023）
https://www.youtube.com/live/_Hqby_yg7OU?si=uts3rPS6dvGgnnM5
One day prior to this symposium, the Ports of Oakland and Long Beach signed an LOI with the Port of Yokohama for mutual cooperation on decarbonization, strengthening another link in the cooperation between Japan and California.
Consul General Sone welcomed participants at the symposium, speaking about the growing role of Japanese companies in California, where progressive efforts are being made in the realm of environmental regulations, including those to address climate change. Noting the $1.2 billion federal government grant announced this month for California to establish a hydrogen hub, Consul General Sone emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation with Japan, especially in hydrogen technology.
At the symposium, the Japanese MLIT proposed the need for a common system for decarbonized ports in Japan and the U.S.; the directors of four ports each in California and Japan (in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Hueneme, and in Kobe, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Yokohama, respectively) reported on their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through environmentally friendly shipping sector agreements; and the technical cooperation and demonstration projects of Japanese companies were introduced by Japan Hydrogen Forum, NYK Line, Toyota Tsusho America, Toyota Motor North America, and others.
Videos：
Japan-California port decarbonization & green shipping corridor symposium（October 20, 2023）
https://www.youtube.com/live/_Hqby_yg7OU?si=uts3rPS6dvGgnnM5
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| Opening remarks by Consul General Sone | Full house with 120 Japaense and U.S. officials in attendance |
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| Mr. Yokoo, Chairman of Japan Hydrogen Forum (JH2F), representing Japanese companies in the U.S. |
Consul General Sone and Secretary of Transportation Omishakin |
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| Symposium Port Speakers (from left to right): Port of Kobe’s Deputy Director-General Matsuki; Port of Yokohama’s Deputy Director-General Ishikawa; Port of Tokyo’s Deputy Director General for Technical Affairs Katayori; Port of Los Angeles’s Director Seroka; Port of Long Beach’s Director Cordero; Port of Nagoya’s Executive Vice President Kamata; Port of Oakland’s Director Wang; Port of Hueneme’s Director Decas |
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| Toyota facility visit and board tour |