Director-General Nohara of the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) met with Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Isabella Zhang of Canada's Department of Natural Resources on August 26, 2025, to conduct the second director-level dialogue based on the Memorandum of Cooperation on battery supply chains signed between the two countries in September 2023. This dialogue represents an important milestone in Japan-Canada strategic cooperation for building sustainable and reliable global battery supply chains that balance both carbon neutrality and economic security objectives.
Background and Strategic Significance of the MoC The Memorandum of Cooperation signed on September 21, 2023, was concluded between the Government of Japan (METI and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Government of Canada (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Global Affairs Canada), focusing on achieving both carbon neutrality and economic security in battery supply chain development.
Strategic Cooperation Framework The dialogue framework encompasses critical minerals extraction and processing, battery manufacturing, recycling technologies, and market development initiatives. Both countries recognize the strategic importance of reducing dependence on single-source suppliers while building resilient supply chains that support clean energy transitions.
Economic Security and Geopolitical Implications This cooperation addresses growing concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities in critical battery materials and technologies. By strengthening bilateral cooperation, Japan and Canada aim to reduce strategic dependencies while promoting democratic values and sustainable development in global battery supply chains.
Technology Transfer and Innovation Collaboration The partnership facilitates technology sharing in battery manufacturing, recycling innovations, and critical mineral processing capabilities, contributing to both countries' industrial competitiveness and global clean energy transition goals.