Japan, U.S. agree to enhance cooperation on green energy technology+

TOKYO, Nov. 13 Kyodo -
Japan and the United States agreed Friday to enhance their cooperation on the
development of more environmentally friendly technologies as part of efforts to
address climate change and generate new sources of growth, government officials
said.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed in Tokyo
that the two countries will work more closely in areas such as 'smart' power
grid systems, renewable energy, nuclear power, and carbon capture and storage,
the officials said.
Under the new action plan, the two countries decided to launch a task force
that will assess their ongoing projects on smart grid systems and other clean
energy in Okinawa and Hawaii. The task force will hold its first meeting as
early as next January.
Japan and the United States will aim to create international standards for a
smart grid, strongly promoted by Obama, which would enable efficient power
delivery by using digital technology.
Recognizing the need to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, the two
countries will strengthen their partnership on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
To save time and money, Tokyo and Washington will share more information on
nuclear technologies such as those related to seismic safety and advanced fuel
cycles.
The bilateral collaboration, also aimed at spurring new industries, will extend
to the development of global standards for electric vehicle components and
research on next-generation energy materials and sources, ranging from fuel
cells to solar and biomass.
With regard to carbon capture and storage, the two countries struck a deal to
carry out more joint projects to speed up the development of technologies
needed to achieve its commercialization at an early date.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the U.S. Department of Energy
will be in charge of monitoring activities under the action plan.
==Kyodo