Green Energy in Japan

Earlier in February, Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen visited Governor Hattori of Fukuoka Prefecture and Mayor Kitahashi of Kitakyushu City. The visits are among other part of Denmark and Japan’s ongoing conversation and cooperation on furthering the implementation of green energy in Japan.

In Kitakyushu City, construction of “the Green Energy Port Hibiki Project” is scheduled to begin in FY2022. The project aims to create a cluster of wind power generation and other energy industries, and Danish wind turbines are planning to be installed along the coast in the Hibikinada area of Kitakyushu City. With regard to digitalization, a Proof of Concept (PoC) project for the digital transformation of citizen’s counter services is underway together with Susono City in Shizuoka Prefecture. Following for having a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on environment, energy, and digitalization with Kitakyushu City last October in 2022, we exchanged opinions mainly on the above.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, we exchanged views on cooperation with municipalities in Fukuoka Prefecture, on the above activities in Kitakyushu City and cooperation in Kama City. In 2019, Kama City signed a partnership agreement with Silkeborg City for cooperation on outdoor activities and related tourism industry. Taking advantage of Kama's rich nature, through outdoor activities and tourism, the city aims to create cozy or “hygge” spaces and experiences for its citizens and visitors from other regions. Governor Hattori also expressed his hope that many cyclists from Denmark (where more than 60% of citizens commute by bicycle) will participate in the "Le Tour de Kyushu" scheduled for October this year in Fukuoka, Oita, and Kumamoto prefectures.