Japan, U.S. To Cooperate in Methane Hydrate Research
Aomori, June 7 (Jiji Press)–Japan and the United States Saturday agreed to cooperate in pursuing the commercial use of methane hydrate, considered a promising alternative source of energy.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari and U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman.
Over the next three years, the two countries will promote exchanges of researchers and sharing of information on such technologies as mining skills.
Countries, including Japan and the United States, are racing to utilize methane hydrate, a crystalline form of methane gas that is expected to replace such energy sources as oil and natural gas. Methane hydrate emits less carbon dioxide than oil and coal when burned.
Amari and Bodman were visiting Aomori, northern Japan, to attend a series of meetings of ministers from key energy-consuming countries.END
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