Japan and Germany's city-state Bremen ink deal for expanded partnership: Memorandum of Understanding signed

In a significant step towards strengthening economic and scientific relations, a delegation from Bremen, Germany, led by Senator for Economy, Harbors, and Transformation, Kristina Vogt, visited Kobe, Japan from September 1 to 5, 2025.

The focus of the collaboration between Bremen and Kobe has been on hydrogen technology for the past three years. This visit was part of a series of collaborations, with Vogt having visited Kobe in 2023. The purpose of this visit was to continue strengthening and expanding the cooperation, with a focus on hydrogen technology.

During the visit, the Research and Technology Center ECOMAT, built by WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH and operated by them since 2019, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kobe Material Testing Laboratory (KMTL). ECOMAT's chairman, Hubertus Lohner, stated that this MoU will expand ECOMAT's international relations, as they need new materials, processes, and testing methods for sustainable aviation of the future.

Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Hanemann, the chairman of the ECOMAT Innovation Platform e.V. who visited Kobe from September 1 to September 5, 2025, expressed his satisfaction at expanding and strengthening cooperation with Japan and Kobe.

The extensive program included company and institute visits, high-level political discussions, and meetings with the management of KMTL, ShinMaywa, Yamamoto Electric Works, HyTouch Kobe, and Airbus Helicopters. One stop on the ECOMAT trip was the International Industrial Fair 2025 Kobe, one of the largest industrial fairs in western Japan.

At the fair, ECOMAT presented its competencies in the field of aerospace technologies. The North German hydrogen initiative HY-5 was also represented at the fair, further emphasising the commitment of Bremen towards hydrogen technology.

Vogt believes that both locations will benefit from closer cooperation in the field of materials science. HY-5, a collaboration between the economic development agencies of the five northern German federal states, aims to promote North Germany as a hydrogen location.

The visit also included an exchange with Kobe University and a visit to the deputy mayor of Kobe. This exchange is expected to foster deeper understanding and collaboration between the two regions.

Vogt expressed her satisfaction at the progress made in the collaboration and looked forward to continued cooperation between Bremen and Kobe in the field of hydrogen technology and materials science.