G7 Leaders assemble prior to the Hiroshima Summit, led by JAMA heads
Japan's Auto Industry Showcases Decarbonization Technologies at G7 Hiroshima Summit
Japan's auto industry made a strong statement at the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit, displaying advanced decarbonization technologies and new mobility solutions as part of the country's broader green transformation agenda.
The showcase, held on May 18, 2023, was preceded by an online press conference organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). Chairman Akio Toyoda of Toyota spoke first, followed by JAMA's vice chairmen who presented the Japanese auto industry's vision for various technologies.
The event, held at the G7 venue, featured exhibits and technologies that reflected the industry's commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable innovation. Akira Marumoto, Executive Director of Mazda, who was present as the company's headquarters are located in Hiroshima, introduced the exhibits, which were divided into seven zones showcasing the technologies and products of each company.
Key exhibits included electrified vehicles and new types of mobility, such as electric and fuel-cell vehicles designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions. There was also a focus on enhancing supply chain resilience and sustainability, addressing geopolitical and physical risks that could impact production, including the need to secure rare resources essential for clean technology manufacturing.
The exhibits were integrated with Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan, which supports decarbonization combined with maintaining energy security and economic growth, emphasizing policies aligned with the "GX2040 Vision" for carbon neutrality.
While the summit covered broader energy and AI governance topics, the automotive industry’s focus was on delivering practical solutions to achieve net-zero emissions, including new mobility formats and advanced semiconductor supply chains critical for electric vehicles and autonomous driving.
Vice Chairman Makoto Uchida of Nissan stated that they were showcasing various technologies from different companies to demonstrate their commitment to decarbonization. Executive Director Marumoto of Hiroshima-based Mazda mentioned that witnessing the diverse options and passionate vision of each company's engineers was a reminder of the strength of Japan's auto industry.
All vice chairmen and executives involved in the exhibitions at the G7 venue share a common mindset, with Vice Chairman Seiichi Nagatsuka emphasizing that despite differences in countries' positions, they are all engaged in discussions towards reducing CO2 emissions. The Japanese auto industry believes in a "multi-pathway" approach, harnessing technologies at which each company excels to become more competitive and addressing regional needs.
The exhibits at the G7 venue aim to encourage visitors to learn about the initiatives each company is undertaking towards carbon neutrality. Japan's auto industry serves a global market with a full lineup of products, including passenger cars, minivehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and motorcycles. The industry is diverse, with companies specializing in battery electric vehicles (BEV), hydrogen, and hybrids (HEV).
The exhibits at the G7 venue are a testament to Japan's unique path to carbon neutrality, a purpose of the press conference, and a reminder of Mazda's resilience, as the company restarted production four months after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, contributing to the city's revival. Chairman Toyoda emphasized Japan's desire to help ensure peaceful lives for all of the earth's people.
In summary, the G7 Hiroshima Summit featured Japan’s auto industry demonstrating cutting-edge electrification, supply chain strategies, and mobility innovations to lead decarbonization efforts nationally and globally.
- The Japanese auto industry's display of decarbonization technologies and new mobility solutions at the G7 Hiroshima Summit is aligned with the country's broader environmental-science agenda aimed at green transformation.
- Akira Marumoto, Executive Director of Mazda, highlighted the fact that the exhibits were divided into seven zones, each showcasing the technologies and products of different companies in the automotive industry.
- The automotive industry's focus at the summit centered on delivering practical solutions in the realm of finance, specifically, securing rare resources essential for clean technology manufacturing to enhance supply chain resilience and sustainability.
- Chairman Toyoda emphasized that Japan's goal is not only to lead decarbonization efforts domestically but also to contribute globally to ensuring a peaceful life for all people, a theme that reflects the intersection of science, technology, and the environment in the climate-change discourse.
