IEA Executive Director - Fatih Birol and Japanese Prime Minister - Shigeru Ishiba recently met in Tokyo to discuss critical aspects of national and international energy markets and security.
Dr. Birol emphasized the International Energy Agency's dedication to aiding Japan in executing its new Strategic Energy Plan, focusing on harmonizing energy security, climate initiatives, and competitiveness. Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated Japan’s unwavering support for the IEA's efforts.
Meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba
This meeting represented a focal point in Dr. Birol’s three-day engagement tour in Japan, which included discussions with several government ministers and energy leaders.
Key talks with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto reviewed Japan’s energy policy goals, including securing affordable energy, while reducing emissions. Additionally, Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya and Dr. Birol explored international cooperation on energy transitions and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
High-profile Speaking Engagements
While in Tokyo, Dr. Birol participated in numerous significant speaking events
While in Tokyo, Dr. Birol participated in numerous significant speaking events, notably delivering a keynote address during a plenary session of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Parliamentary Support Group for Southeast Asia.
Hosted by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and AZEC Chairman Ken Saito, Dr. Birol outlined plans to enhance collaboration with Southeast Asian nations through the IEA’s new Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore, a first for the Agency outside its Paris headquarters.
International Energy Symposium
In another highlight, Dr. Birol addressed the International Energy Symposium at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). His speech covered the current state of energy markets and the primary energy security challenges in light of geopolitical and technological changes.
Furthermore, Dr. Birol visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture, the largest nuclear facility globally, to discuss the strategic role of nuclear energy in bolstering energy security and reducing emissions, as detailed in the IEA's recent report.
During his Tokyo visit, Dr. Birol met with Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira, coinciding with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s state visit to Japan. Their discussions focused on the achievements of the IEA and Brazil's cooperation within the 2024 G20 Presidency and explored ways to enhance this successful collaboration moving forward.
IEA Executive Director - Fatih Birol had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan in Tokyo in which they discussed a range of issues related to domestic and global energy markets and security.
Dr Birol stressed the IEA's commitment to assisting Japan in its efforts to implement its new Strategic Energy Plan, particularly in terms of its focus on balancing energy security, climate, and competitiveness objectives. Prime Minister Ishiba underscored the Japanese government’s steadfast support for the work of the IEA.
Meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba
The meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba was the highlight of a series of engagements with government ministers and energy decision-makers during Dr Birol’s three-day visit to Japan this week.
Dr Birol also had bilateral meetings with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto – in which they discussed Japan’s energy policy priorities, including efforts to ensure energy security at affordable prices, while cutting emissions – and with Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya to discuss international cooperation on energy security and transitions in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
High-profile speaking engagements
During his time in Tokyo, Dr Birol took part in several high-profile speaking engagements
During his time in Tokyo, Dr Birol took part in several high-profile speaking engagements, including a keynote address at a plenary session of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Parliamentary Support Group for Southeast Asia.
The session was hosted by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, under whose premiership the AZEC initiative was launched, and Ken Saito, AZEC Chairman and Member of Parliament.
Dr Birol outlined to the AZEC Parliamentary Group how the IEA is planning to boost its collaboration with countries in Southeast Asia through the IEA’s new Regional Cooperation Centre based in Singapore, the Agency's first office outside its Paris headquarters.
International Energy Symposium
At the International Energy Symposium hosted by Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and CEO of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), Dr Birol delivered a speech on the current situation in energy markets and key energy security challenges, both traditional and emerging, that countries around the world are contending with at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty and technological change.
During his visit to Japan, Dr Birol travelled to Niigata Prefecture to tour the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, the world's largest nuclear energy facility.
During the visit, Dr Birol spoke about the crucial role of nuclear power can play in improving energy security and reducing emissions, referencing the IEA's recent report The Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy.
Japan’s overall energy security
He noted the benefits of safely restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant for Japan’s overall energy security, affordability, and sustainability. While in Tokyo, Dr Birol also met with Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira, who was there as part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s state visit to Japan.
Minister Silveira and Dr Birol took the opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the strong cooperation between the IEA and Brazil’s 2024 G20 Presidency and how to build on that success going forward.
