Energy

Energy ministers and government officials from around 20 countries said Tuesday they will step up cooperation in promoting the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source by sharing technology and standards.

Toshiba Corp. will set up a new plant at its business complex in Yokohama in an effort to boost production of lithium-ion batteries.

Kyushu Electric Power Co. suspended operation of thousands of solar power generators run by independent operators in the Kyushu region on Saturday and Sunday.

Kyushu Electric Power Co. has expressed its intention to call for a temporary suspension of electricity generation from renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, to prevent power oversupply.

Japan may be feeling the effects of global warming more than ever with the series of natural disasters that hit the archipelago this summer, but this resource-poor country is sticking with coal-fired energy production that emits more than double the carbon dioxide generated by liquid natural gas-fueled plants.