In his evaluation to the AA correspondent, Japan's Ambassador to Ankara, Tamura Masami, reminded that the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries will be celebrated in 2024, and stated that COP31 could be the beginning of a new era of cooperation in the relations between the two countries.
Pointing out the importance of concrete steps in the fight against climate change, Tamura continued as follows:
"We fully agree with the Turkish government's approach to transform COP31 into the implementation phase of commitments. We want to implement the promises we made and the commitments we deem important. We have a common goal in the fight against climate change, but the economic and geographical conditions of the countries differ. Therefore, different paths can be followed to achieve the goal."
Energy security is a common priority
Tamura said that Türkiye and Japan experience similar difficulties in terms of foreign dependency in energy resources, and that energy security and sustainable supply are the common priorities of the two countries.
Explaining that both countries are trying to increase efficiency in energy production, transmission and storage, Tamura stated that Türkiye has significant potential in the fields of hydroelectricity, wind and solar energy.
Tamura said, "There are important cooperation opportunities between Turkish and Japanese companies at different stages of energy transformation. Energy efficiency, storage technologies and renewable energy technologies stand out as areas where cooperation is possible between Japan and Turkey." he said.
Referring to the activities of Japanese companies in Türkiye, Tamura noted that Hitachi Energy has been operating in Kocaeli for more than 60 years and produces electricity transmission equipment.
Tamura pointed out that the equipment in question is important for the integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity grid and grid stability in Türkiye, and stated that joint work between Turkish and Japanese companies will contribute to the energy transformation.
Partnership opportunity in third countries from Turkish and Japanese companies
Stating that a memorandum of understanding was signed to establish the Turkey-Japan Energy Forum in 2024 in order to develop energy relations between the two countries within an institutional framework, Tamura said that the forum is important in terms of developing more concrete cooperation in the fields of energy efficiency and energy security.
Tamura pointed out that cooperation mechanisms have been established between Japan and Türkiye, including government-related financial institutions, and said:
"Private sectors have been encouraged to develop joint projects between the two countries. In this context, financial institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Eximbank are considered as financing tools that will facilitate cooperation. Governments are trying to support partnerships between companies. At the end of the day, it is private companies that make the real difference in the results in this field. As the government, we will do our best to facilitate cooperation between private companies."
Tamura stated that expanding energy cooperation not only with the two countries but also with joint projects to be developed in third countries will also provide important opportunities.
Explaining that Turkish companies operate actively in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe, Tamura stated that Türkiye is a strategic center in terms of economic activities.
Tamura noted that Japanese companies can come together with the regional experience and entrepreneurial capacity of Turkish companies and carry out joint work in the fields of energy security, energy efficiency and combating climate change, especially in Central Asia.
Japan will introduce energy technologies at COP31
Stating that hydrogen is one of the prominent areas in the energy cooperation between the two countries, Tamura said that Japan allocates significant resources to the development of technologies in this field.
Tamura stated that, in addition to hydrogen, ammonia, nuclear energy and renewable energy sources offer different solutions in the fight against climate change, and that fossil fuels should be used more efficiently in the current process.
Emphasizing that the development of hydrogen technologies may take time, but this field has significant potential in terms of energy storage, transportation and use, Tamura stated that the investments of Japanese companies in this field can contribute to energy security and climate goals.
Tamura also informed that many Japanese companies are expected to attend COP31 and that the Japan Pavilion will be established at the summit.
Stating that major Japanese companies will exhibit various technologies developed for climate change and energy problems in the pavilion, Tamura added that this will be an important platform for Turkish and Japanese stakeholders to exchange views and evaluate new cooperation opportunities.
