SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed an agreement with Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Kenichiro Sasae to further cooperation between Japan and California on climate change, renewable energy, trade and investment, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), high-speed rail and water.
The agreement, signed at the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, calls for the two entities to collaborate on technologies that will support California’s goal of having 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025, as well as innovation related to high-speed rail, water conservation and renewable energy.
Last year, Brown met with Osaka Prefecture Gov. Ichiro Matsui and signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation between California and its sister state in Japan on clean energy, environmental protection, tourism and other areas.
Over the past year, Brown has also signed accords with leaders from Mexico, China, Canada, Israel and Peru to combat climate change, strengthen California’s economic ties, and expand cooperation on promising research.
The agreement with Japan includes dialogue and joint projects on:
• Accelerating the ongoing rollout of ZEVs, including DC fast chargers, and engagement with the public and private sectors to achieve California’s goal of establishing the infrastructure to support 1 million ZEVs by 2020;
• Climate change mitigation, including short-lived climate pollutants and cleaner freight transport;
• Clean energy technology trade and deployment, with a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy development;
• Safety of high-speed rail, including seismic safety measures, environmental friendliness, and social and economic effects;
• Technologies related to securing water resources, recycling, and strengthening environmental conservation.
“This important agreement further strengthens the economic bond between California and Japan that is crucial to the economic prosperity of our state, and especially the South Bay,” commented Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance). “I look forward to continuing to work together to promote investment in job growth in California.”
Over the past two years, Muratsuchi has continuously worked with and encouraged conversations with his Japanese counterparts. Just last month, he welcomed members of a Japanese Diet delegation to the State Assembly to discuss the Japan-California relationship.
