Japan and the US will explore a joint experimental project of a next-generation “smart grid” power transmission network in Okinawa and Hawaii, the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said here.
Following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation the same day, a project-finding mission consisting of government officials and experts of both countries is expected to be sent in July or later to the Japanese southwestern prefecture of Okinawa as well as to Hawaii.
Okinawa and Hawaii are common in that the islands largely depend on fossil fuels, especially oil, and are eager to introduce renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, according to a METI official. Their climate conditions are also similar.
“We hope to create a clean energy model at remote islands and promote it to the world,” the official said on Thursday.
A smart grid, which uses information technology, is a power transmission and distribution network that aims to achieve stability of electricity supplied by fluctuating renewable energy.
The two countries have been discussing on how to cooperate in the area of developing clean energy technologies under a joint task force.
The task force was set up in line with an agreement reached in November between then Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and US President Barack Obama.
The signing ceremony was attended by Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima, US Ambassador to Japan John Roos, Okinawa Gov Hirokazu Nakaima and Hawaii Gov Linda Lingle.
Showing posts with label Okinawa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Okinawa. Show all posts
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Japanese Prime Minister announces resignation
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced Wednesday at a general assembly of his Democratic Party of Japan that he would step down as premier.
Mr. Hatoyama also asked Ichiro Ozawa, the powerful secretary general of the party, to resign over his funding scandals. Mr. Hatoyama said Mr. Ozawa accepted his request.
Mr. Hatoyama’s resignation comes amid a steady decline in approval ratings for his cabinet and mounting calls for him to step down within the Democratic Party of Japan, especially those members who are to contest an upcoming upper house election in July.
Mr. Hatoyama’s flip-flop on the issue of the U.S. military presence on Okinawa, a Japanese southern island, helped erode his popularity, analysts said.
Before last year’s election, Mr. Hatoyama told Okinawans repeatedly that he would not let another US military base be built on the island, but last week his government agreed to a U.S. request to relocate a base on Okinawa to a less-populated area of the island despite local opposition.
The Social Democratic Party, a small leftist party, decided to bolt from the three-party governing coalition Sunday after Mr. Hatoyama was unable to deliver on his campaign promise.
The premier on Friday dismissed Mizuho Fukushima, the SDP leader, as minister of consumer affairs and gender equality after she refused to approve an agreement over the relocation of the U.S. base.
Mr. Hatoyama also asked Ichiro Ozawa, the powerful secretary general of the party, to resign over his funding scandals. Mr. Hatoyama said Mr. Ozawa accepted his request.
Mr. Hatoyama’s resignation comes amid a steady decline in approval ratings for his cabinet and mounting calls for him to step down within the Democratic Party of Japan, especially those members who are to contest an upcoming upper house election in July.
Mr. Hatoyama’s flip-flop on the issue of the U.S. military presence on Okinawa, a Japanese southern island, helped erode his popularity, analysts said.
Before last year’s election, Mr. Hatoyama told Okinawans repeatedly that he would not let another US military base be built on the island, but last week his government agreed to a U.S. request to relocate a base on Okinawa to a less-populated area of the island despite local opposition.
The Social Democratic Party, a small leftist party, decided to bolt from the three-party governing coalition Sunday after Mr. Hatoyama was unable to deliver on his campaign promise.
The premier on Friday dismissed Mizuho Fukushima, the SDP leader, as minister of consumer affairs and gender equality after she refused to approve an agreement over the relocation of the U.S. base.
