Securing America's Future Energy

Sasakawa USA and SAFE Conclude Transportation Innovation Tour of Japan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Bolger 703.969.7900

Meetings with Automotive and Energy Companies and Officials, and tours of Maglev Facilities and the Toyota Auto Show

Tokyo, Japan—Today, leaders from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) and Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) with U.S. business and former government leaders concluded a week-long visit to leading Japanese innovative automotive and energy technology companies and research centers. The tour was convened by Sasakawa USA and SAFE to conduct a leadership level exchange through site visits to cutting-edge technology centers while engaging with companies and senior researchers on transformational innovation in transportation.

“It is fascinating to visit traditional industries in the transportation sector and see first-hand how they envision and are implementing technology to create next-generation vehicles, magnetic levitation trains, and sustainable fuel for next generation mobility and power,” commented Adm. Dennis Blair (Ret.) former Director of National Intelligence and chairman of Sasakawa USA. “We saw many opportunities where greater U.S.-Japan collaboration can help create and lead the world to the future through energy, mobility, manufacture, and robotics,” he continued.

The week-long tour covered several cities in Japan with visits to key industry plants and offices, including:

  • Nagoya—Meetings with Toyota and Denso officials discussing advances in sustainable mobility through high tech solutions and viewing fuel cell and other advanced technologies;
  • Yokohama—Meetings with Nissan officials to discuss autonomous, connected, and electric vehicle technologies, as well as discussing the public policy needed to achieve these goals;
  • Yamanashi—Meetings with JR Central officials and a ride on the Maglev, which will eventually connect Tokyo and Osaka at over 300 mph, as well as discussions about a project to connect Washington DC to New York City in 57 minutes;
  • Tokyo—Meetings with government and private sector firms, including:
    • U.S. Embassy-Tokyo with a visit from the new Deputy Chief of Missions Joseph Young and Embassy staff.
    • New Energy and Industrial Technology Organization (NEDO) and Japan’s Agency for Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) developing new technology in the energy and mobility sectors.
    • JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, Japan’s largest energy company, is involved in a range of oil and natural gas projects around the world to support energy security, as well as building the hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
    • Tokyo Electric and Power Company (TEPCO), Japan’s largest utility.

Robbie Diamond, President and CEO of SAFE, commented: “Innovation—in technology and in public policy—is at the very heart of economic growth and central to reducing the over-reliance on oil which will improve both Japanese and American national security. Over the past week, leaders from SAFE and Sasakawa USA were able to identify best practices from both nations and promote dialogue and collaboration. We look forward to working together to strengthen our relationship and alliance in one more important area.”

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About Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA

Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA is an independent American non-profit, non-partisan institution devoted to research, analysis, and better understanding of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Through research and education programs, Sasakawa USA facilitates people-to-people exchange and dialogue between American and Japanese policymakers, influential citizens, and the broader public.

About Securing America’s Future Energy

Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Near-total dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector undermines the nation’s economic and national security, and constrains U.S. foreign policy. To combat these threats, SAFE advocates for expanded domestic production of U.S. oil and gas resources, continued improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, and transportation sector innovations including electric vehicles, natural gas trucks, and autonomous vehicles. In 2006, SAFE joined with General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, to form the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a group of business and former military leaders committed to reducing the United States’ dependence on oil. Today, the ESLC is co-chaired by Frederick W. Smith and General James T. Conway (Ret), 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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