- Fatih Birol met Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and senior Japanese officials in Tokyo to discuss global energy markets and regional energy security.
- Japan and the IEA explored stronger cooperation on oil and gas markets, energy resilience, stockpiling capacity and supply diversification.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo to discuss global energy markets and stronger cooperation on energy security across the Asia-Pacific region. Against the backdrop of an energy crisis linked to the conflict in the Middle East, Birol thanked Prime Minister Takaichi for Japan’s continued support for the IEA’s international energy security efforts.
Birol also highlighted Japan’s support for the IEA’s coordinated release of emergency oil stocks in response to disruptions affecting flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Birol met Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa, to discuss developments in global oil and gas markets. They also examined measures to strengthen energy security and affordability across the Asia-Pacific and other regions.
Birol commended Japan’s contributions through the POWERR Asia Initiative, which supports regional energy security. The initiative includes efforts to expand oil stockpiling capacity among Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, Birol welcomed Japan’s new POWER GX energy policy package, which seeks to diversify the country’s energy supplies.
Birol separately met Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi to discuss global energy geopolitics and challenges affecting energy markets. The discussions also focused on stronger regional cooperation to improve energy security and resilience across the Asia-Pacific region. During his Tokyo visit, Birol also met energy industry leaders and other prominent Japanese figures, including former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.