Japan protests new Chinese structures in East China Sea
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said that China had begun building a new structure between China and Japan, in the disputed East China Sea. It also added that it had lodged a formal protest with China. In a press release, the ministry stated that "it is regrettable" for China to continue with its unilateral development while the exclusive economic zones and continental shelf of the East China Sea are still not defined. The Japanese government also requested that China stop its unilateral development…
Japan protests new Chinese structures in East China Sea
The Chinese government has begun the construction of a new structure in the East China Sea on the western side of the geographic equidistance of Japan and China, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. It also said that it had lodged a formal protest with China. In a press release, the ministry stated that it was "extremely regrettable" for China to continue with its unilateral development while the exclusive economic zones and continental shelf of the East China Sea are still not delimited.
Siemens Gamesa and Japan's Industry Ministry agree to wind power cooperation
A ministry official announced that the Japan's Industry Ministry will sign an agreement on Tuesday with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to create a framework of public-private collaboration aimed at creating local supply chains for offshore power. The official in charge of wind power at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry told reporters that the government is promoting collaborations with international players to create a domestic supply network. The official stated that as part of these initiatives…
Taiyo Oil Buys First Russian Crude In More Than Two Years
Japanese refinery Taiyo Oil has bought its first Sakhalin Blend crude from Russia in more than two years at the Japanese government's request, it said on Tuesday, to help ensure the stability of a plant also supplying Japan with liquefied natural gas.Japan last imported Russian crude in February 2023, trade data showed, after Tokyo agreed with other G7 countries to phase out imports in response to Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.China has since been the sole importer of Sakhalin Blend, but sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration in January on ice class tankers…
Japan's Gas Industry Allows Gas with Carbon Capture in 2050 Net Zero Plan
The Japan Gas Association announced on Tuesday that it will take a more flexible stance in its efforts to become carbon neutral in 2050. This includes allowing a greater use of gas, in conjunction with carbon capture and other decarbonisation methods. The industry group stated that it aimed to supply 50-90% by 2050 of its gas from biogas or e-methane, with 10-50% coming from natural gas and carbon capture. The group, including city gas suppliers had originally set an initial target of 90% e-methane produced from green hydrogen, CO2, and 5% biogas by 2050.
NextDecade, JERA Sign 20-Year LNG Supply Deal
U.S. liquefied natural gas producer NextDecade said on Thursday it had signed a 20-year deal to supply Japan's biggest power generator JERA with 2 million tonnes per annum of LNG from its Rio Grande project's fifth liquefaction facility.Shares of NextDecade were up 5.5% at $8.11 in early trading.The United States is the world's largest exporter of LNG, shipping 11.9 billion cubic feet per day of the supercooled fuel in 2024, and has gained further momentum following President Donald Trump's lifting in January of a moratorium on new export permits.NextDecade's deal with JERA…
Mitsui OSK To Asses EU Sanction Impact On Its LNG Vessels
Japan's second-largest shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) said it is carefully assessing the impact on three of its liquefied natural gas vessels of new sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia."We will continue to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities, including the European Union and the Japanese government, and remain committed to complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and international rules," said a company spokesperson on Wednesday."We will take appropriate measures as necessary…
CF Industries and JERA Mitsui form a joint venture to build a $4 billion ammonia plant with low carbon emissions
CF Industries announced on Tuesday that it had formed a joint-venture with Japan's biggest power generator, JERA and trading house Mitsui & Co. to build one the world's most massive low-carbon ammonia plants for around $4 billion. Why is it important? The largest climate change legislation passed in the U.S. in history by former President Joe Biden in 2022 was meant to spark a boom in American energy development, including low-carbon emissions products. Ammonia manufacturer CF Industries has said…
Japan Gas Industry Head: Higher US LNG Imports Must be Mutually Beneficial
The head of Japan's Gas Industry Group said that higher imports of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas would improve Japan's energy security and supply stability. However, they must be pursued on a mutually-beneficial basis for both parties. U.S. president Donald Trump pushes energy sales to Asian allies, while threatening tariffs on trade. This is reviving Alaska LNG's stagnated LNG ambitions. Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Trump and discussed the 20-million-tons-per-year Alaska LNG project…
Japan adopts new policies on energy, climate and industry through 2040
The Japanese government approved new targets on Tuesday to reduce the country's emissions of greenhouse gases through 2040. It also approved a revised energy policy and updated industrial policies for the same time period. The measures are aimed at enhancing long-term stability of policy for businesses. They focus on decarbonisation and ensuring stable energy supplies, as well as strengthening industrial capacities to drive economic growth. Japan's new climate policy aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from 2013 levels by 60% by 2035, and 73% by 2020, exceeding its previous 2030 target of a 46% reduction.
Japan selects two groups to participate in the third round of offshore wind power
In a third round of major public auctions, the Japan's land and industry ministries selected, on Tuesday, two consortiums as operators for offshore wind blocks, including one that included energy giant BP. Analysts in the industry said that domestic and international companies were watching closely to see how this round of competition, held under a new law encouraging wind power development, would affect their exposure to renewable energy. As part of its decarbonisation plan, Japan wants to accelerate the development of offshore wind farms.
Japan increases LNG flexibility through collaboration with S.Korea and Italy
Japan agreed to cooperate with South Korea and Italy in the procurement of LNG. It is the second largest LNG importer behind China, which seeks more flexibility while strengthening energy security. JERA, Japan’s largest utility company, and South Korea’s Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS), a major buyer of LNG, are working together on joint procurement, cargo exchanges and other forms of collaboration, the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a Sunday statement. The South Korean Ministry of Trade…
Alchemy Resources, Australia, signs lithium partnership agreement with Japan's JOGMEC
Alchemy Resources, an Australian miner, announced on Monday that it had signed a deal with a Japanese government agency for the Japanese agency to fund up to A$6,000,000 ($4,15,000,000) in exploration costs to gain up to 51% ownership of Roe Hills in Western Australia. Alchemy Resources will manage the project for the duration of the partnership. Once the Japanese agency JOGMEC has acquired its vested interests in the tenements the two companies are expected to form a joint-venture, according to a company statement. The Roe Hills project is part of a lithium and gold miner's Karonie project.
NHK reports that Japan is considering company support measures to long-term LNG contracts.
NHK reported that the Japanese government was considering measures to encourage companies to sign long-term contracts to purchase liquefied gas in order to guarantee a steady supply of this super-chilled fuel. The public broadcaster, without citing any sources, reported that the measures included financial support to secure storage tanks in Japan as well as abroad, and a framework for companies to resell surplus supplies on the market. This would mitigate the risk of a surplus due lower than expected demand during the contract term. About 30% of Japan's electricity is generated by gas-fired generators.
Japan Sets Aside $3.4B for Hydrogen R&D
The Japanese government said on Tuesday it will allocate up to 370 billion yen ($3.4 billion) from its green innovation fund for two projects to accelerate research and development (R&D) and promotion of hydrogen use over the next 10 years.Japan unveiled an ambitious goal in December to boost the country's demand for hydrogen to 3 million tonnes a year by 2030, from about 2 million tonnes currently, and to 20 million tonnes by 2050.New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)…
OWC Sets Up Shop in Japan
International offshore wind consultancy and advisory firm OWC (Offshore Wind Consultants) has said it will set up an office in Tokyo to support the fast-growing offshore wind market in Japan."The Japanese government has announced big ambitions when it comes to renewables in general and offshore wind specifically. We want to be part of that vision and be available for offshore wind developers here, while also contributing towards local job and value creation," Will Cleverly, managing director, OWC said.According to GWEC Market Intelligence…
Orsted Hopes COVID-19 Will Not Slow Japan's Offshore Wind Projects
Orsted, the world's largest offshore wind farm developer, is concerned the coronavirus may delay auctions for offshore projects as it prepares to enter the market, the head of its Asia-Pacific unit said. "The pandemic will not influence investment decisions and general confidence in offshore wind, but it could delay the projects' timeline," Matthias Bausenwein, president of Orsted Asia-Pacific, told Reuters in a telephone interview. "We hope that we won't see any major delays," he said. The Danish company and Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) will make a joint bid for a project off Choshi city…
Ørsted, TEPCO in Offshore Wind JV
Japan's largest power company TEPCO, and Danish offshore wind farm developer Ørsted, have set up a joint venture company.The JV company, named Choshi Offshore Wind Farm K.K., has been formed with the intention of working towards a joint bid in the Choshi-city offshore wind promotion area. The two companies have since January 2019 been working together to establish a framework and organizational structure for joint development of the Choshi Offshore Wind Project.TEPCO and Ørsted, having formalized their collaboration to develop the Choshi Offshore Wind Project…
Japanese Firms Begin Offshore Wind Surveys
Japanese companies Sumitomo Corporation and Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER) have begun an offshore ground investigation off the coast of Japan to explore the possibility of developing an offshore wind power plant.The Japanese government is currently in the process of determining areas to be designated as offshore wind power development promotion areas under a new law enacted this fiscal year, for which the government will invite applications and select a wind power plant operator.The…
Germany's RWE Eyes Japan OWP
German utility RWE Renewables has opened its first Asian office in Tokyo, Japan and planning to invest in Japan’s offshore wind power (OWP) projectsLed by the Japanese Country Manager, the new Tokyo office will support RWE’s aim to expand its renewables business to Japan.RWE Renewables chief operating officer Sven Utermohlen said: “We expect Japan’s offshore wind industry to gain real momentum."“The Japanese government has plans to considerably increase the role of offshore wind energy in electricity production.
