The mayor of Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, which was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, attended a conference on energy held in Los Angeles, USA, and emphasized the town's efforts to produce hydrogen, which is expected to replace fossil fuels after the nuclear accident in 2011.
This conference is held with the participation of local governments and energy-related companies in western California to discuss the potential of clean energy.
On the first day, April 4, a reception was held at the official residence of the Los Angeles Consul General in Japan, attended by Mayor Eiko Yoshida of Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, which was damaged by the nuclear accident in the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Mayor Yoshida appealed to the town's efforts to produce hydrogen, which is expected to be a next-generation fuel to replace fossil fuels such as petroleum, saying, "I would like to respond to the support of the people of the United States by making it a success."
Participants commented, "As climate change is a reality, it is clear that new methods are needed."
At the venue, there was also a corner introducing Japan sake made in Namie Town and processed shirasu products caught at the fishing port, and visitors tasted them.
Later, Mayor Yoshida told reporters that he would like to agree to create a framework for sharing information on the use of hydrogen among the three parties of Namie Town, Lancaster City in California, and Hawaii County in Hawaii during his stay in the United States.