TORRANCE — “Alternatives to Nuclear: Japan’s Renewable Energy Options” is the subject of the seventh annual U.S.-Japan Green Conference, to be held Wednesday, May 15, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. (registration at 2 p.m.) at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel, 21381 S. Western Ave., Torrance.
“We will reduce our dependence on nuclear as much as possible by accelerating the use of energy saving and renewable energy and promoting highly efficient thermal plants and other measures,” said Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party the day before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office. How far has Japan come since the triple disasters of March 11, 2011 and how far will it go under the new regime? A distinguished panel of experts will discuss how Japan can seize its opportunities and overcome its limitations to increase its renewable energy options.
The U.S.–Japan Green Conference is an official World Trade Week event that brings together professionals from a diverse group of small, medium and large-sized companies, as well as entrepreneurs and government representatives.
From 5:30 to 7 p.m., there will be a networking reception with the speakers featuring Japanese style food.
Admission is $50 for Japan America Society members, $60 for non-members, $25 for students with ID. Seating is limited and reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit www.jas-socal.org.
Speakers
• Consul General Jun Niimi, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
• Woodrow (Woody) W. Clark II MA3, Ph.D., qualitative economist, author, lecturer, and advisor specializing in sustainable communities. Contributing scientist to United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UNIPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
• Peter Fannon, vice president, technology policy, Panasonic Corporation of North America. Manages Panasonic’s corporate environmental, government and public affairs, product safety and regulatory compliance, and corporate social responsibility activities.
• Gary Noland, president, G. Noland & Associates Inc. Works to commercialize ocean thermal energy systems — emerging technology to generate clean domestic fuels to replace petroleum for transportation.
• Osamu Onodera, senior official, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan. Closely involved in the Maui NEDO’s smart grid project as well as smart grid project in New Mexico.
• Hal Romanowitz, CEO, Alton Energy Inc., and director, California Wind Energy Association. Originating developer of Alta Energy Center, now the largest wind project in the Western world.
• Jim MacLellan (moderator), director of trade development, Port of Los Angeles. Responsible for trade promotion programs to encourage increased trade through the Port of Los Angeles and the Southern California Gateway.
Sponsors: Port of Los Angeles, Mitsui USA, DestinHaus, Glissando Capital LLC. Cooperating organizations: Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Foreign Trade Association, UCLA Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies, VERDEXCHANGE, Women in International Trade, World Trade Week.