Japan: Talks about the turnaround in energy policy, electric mobility, efficiency in buildings

Federal Minister Ramsauer in front of a Shinkansen of series N700-0 (Source: BMVBS)

date of issue

2012.01.11

serial number

006/2012

After the political discussions of Federal Minister Peter Ramsauer with the Japanese partner ministries on the subjects of turnaround in energy policy, energy efficiency in buildings, electric mobility, air transport and International Transport Forum the visit to a research centre on electric mobility in Tokyo was on the program today. In addition there were talks at the BOSCH development centre in Yokohama and a visit of a passive house.

Together with his delegation Ramsauer visited the E-mobility research centre of the Keio University, one of the most renowned Japanese universities. The Federal Minister and his delegation also tested the electric vehicles developed in the University, among them the eight-wheel electric car Ellica.

Ramsauer:

"In the area of electric mobility Japan belongs to the leading nations, especially as regards battery technology and hybridisation. But my visit at the Bosch research centre in Yokohama has also clearly shown me that no manufacturer of electric cars today can avoid German technology."

Bosch, who have been successfully represented in Japan for more than 100 years, have since 1990 at the site Yokohama near Tokyo been researching and developing in the fields of propulsion systems and vehicle safety.

In Kamakura near Tokyo Ramsauer today visited a passive house project for which a Japanese architect who studied in Germany is responsible. Similarly to the efficiency house plus in Berlin the low energy house is inhabited by a family of four.

Ramsauer:

"Since the Fukushima disaster intensive work is done in Japan, too, in the area of energy efficiency of buildings and fixed building services. We are in close contact with the Japanese Government. With the plus energy house in Berlin Germany at present has a certain advantage compared to the status of the Japanese efforts and projects. After my many talks and meetings in Japan I can take home one certainty: German products and concepts in many future-oriented technologies enjoy a very good reputation in Japan and German companies have opportunities here which are better than ever before."