https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Germany-Japan-will-tap-hydrogen-to-reduce-oil-gas-dependence-Scholz
"In the future, hydrogen will be an alternative to today's gas and coal. By promoting the development of hydrogen through Japan-Germany cooperation, we can bring about prosperity on a wide scale," he said through an interpreter.
This will be the long-term measure, he said, envisioning a future where hydrogen will serve the functions of coal, gas, and thermal power, and that such change was necessary in manufacturing.
"Japan and Germany are acutely aware of this since they are both trade-oriented countries. Such common issues can be better addressed through collaboration," he said.
His remarks come as Russia, a large exporter of gas and oil, cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria in retaliation against Western sanctions imposed on it, raising concerns over other importers' future energy supplies.
In his speech, Scholz emphasized that the two nations faced the same challenges, which they will be able to overcome because of their shared values.
