Innovation meets responsibility – solutions for sustainable and resource-saving production

Hannover Messe

19th German-Japanese Economic Forum at HANNOVER MESSE

The efficient use of resources and the introduction of sustainable production methods are among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which both Japan and Germany have committed themselves.

How are German and Japanese industrial companies planning to transform their industries to "net zero"? How can valuable resources be saved? How can Germany and Japan learn from the respective processes?

The German-Japanese Economic Forum at HANNOVER MESSE has developed into a well-known discussion and networking platform with high-profile presentations from German and Japanese industry since its launch in 2006.

At its 19th edition, the forum once again brought together experts from industry and politics to discuss the challenges, innovations, and opportunities for cooperation on key topics that will shape the future of industrial production in Germany and Japan.

This year's program offered a wide range of perspectives: a talk session with Satoshi Hashimoto (JOGMEC Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security) and Mikiharu Shimizu (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) on the importance of resource-efficient production in the current geopolitical situation, followed by insights from Stefan Knauf (Mitsubishi Electric Europe) into energy-efficient and resource-saving production. Dr. Yasuyuki Nishioka (Industrial Value Chain Initiative) presented models and frameworks for efficient and sustainable product lifecycle management. In a concluding panel discussion, Dr. Thomas Hahn (Siemens AG/Platform Industry 4.0), Kazuo Nakashima (Robot Revolution and Industrial IoT Initiative), and Michitaka Tsuda (IPA Information-technology Promotion Agency) illustrated how Germany and Japan are collaborating to achieve global data interoperability and its significance for resource-efficient production.

Date:

  • 20.04.2026

Time:

  • 15:30-17:45 CEST

Venue:

  • Expert Stage in the “Energy & Industrial Infrastructure” Solution Lab, Hall 12

Language:

  • English

Topics:

  • Innovations for sustainable and resource-saving production
    • Material/resource efficiency in production processes
    • New/innovative materials
    • Critical Raw Material (CRM) supply chains: challenges and strategies
    • IIoT and AI as enablers of resource efficiency (e.g., Manufacturing X)

 

Program

Information: https://www.hannovermesse.de/event/19th-german-japanese-economic-forum/for/41603