The 27th Nagasaki Summit convened leaders from 7 organizations across industry, education, and government to discuss regional revitalization strategies. A primary outcome of the summit was the consensus on advancing carbon neutrality (CN) at Nagasaki Port to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Masahiro Inada, Director-General of the Port and Harbor Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT), delivered the keynote address. He introduced the MLIT's nationwide initiative to develop "Carbon Neutral Ports" and proposed several measures for Nagasaki. These measures included promoting local production and consumption of renewable energy and establishing facilities to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to LNG-fueled ships constructed in Nagasaki. Given the high environmental awareness among cruise operators, Inada suggested that integrating shore power derived from renewable sources could increase port calls.
Inada emphasized that Nagasaki Port's annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, ~85,000 tons, are significantly lower than ports like Kitakyushu, which exceed 10 million tons. This positions Nagasaki as a prime candidate for achieving CN. This proposal spurred discussions among local leaders.
Mayor Shiro Suzuki expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting its necessity for enhancing international competitiveness. Shin Higashi, Representative Secretary of the Nagasaki Economic Federation, called for a framework that allows participation from local small and medium-sized enterprises. Takujirou Mori, Chairman of the Nagasaki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, anticipated that improved facilities could increase cruise ship visits and potentially establish Nagasaki as a homeport, boosting educational and corporate visits if recognized as a CN pioneer.