Japan Power Association (JPA), the forerunner of current Japan Energy Association (JEA), was established in 1927 in response to the foundation of World Power Conference. JPA was dissolved in April, 1944, during World War II. In 1950, JPA was established as an incorporated organization, and a year later, in 1951 Japan rejoined the World Energy Council, and set up the Japanese Member Committee. JEA’s core activities include research on energy issues and gathering of information to promote more efficient energy use. Its goal is to contribute to the activities of all energy industries and energy-related stakeholders.
Naomi Hirose is the former president / CEO whose service at the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) spans four decades.
He joined the company in 1976, having gained an appreciation for the energy industry following the 1973 Oil Shock, and worked in a number of management positions from 1992 to 2005, including corporate planning, sales, marketing, and customer relations.
Mr. Hirose became an executive officer in 2006, and in 2008, conceived and spearheaded a campaign promoting the economic and environmental benefits of electrification, called “Switch” that was a Japan-first. In 2010, he re-energized the company vision for global expansion.
Immediately after the 3.11 Fukushima Accident, Mr. Hirose dedicated himself to create the system for Nuclear Damage Compensation. After becoming President and CEO in 2012, he led the company in addressing a number of highly complex issues such as water management and decommissioning plans for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, compensation for the accident and Fukushima revitalization, and keeping TEPCO competitive while facing the deregulation of Japan’s electricity market.
He left TEPCO in 2021, and currently serves as Chair of Japan Energy Association, i.e. World Energy Council Japanese Member Committee.
Mr. Hirose received his B.A. in Sociology from Hitotsubashi University in 1976, and his MBA from Yale School of Management in 1983.
Mr. Masaaki Hanaoka has been secretary general of WEC Japanese Member Committee since July 2020. He holds a Masters' degree in science and technology from the KEIO University, Tokyo, Japan. He graduated in 1987 and joined the Tokyo Electric Power Company that same year.
Energy in Japan
Commodity prices, including crude oil and petroleum products, are among the most critical issues for Japan, reflecting global trends. Additionally, the depreciation of the national currency against the US dollar may enhance the competitiveness of domestically produced goods and services but will have an adverse impact on energy prices. This could raise affordability issues for end users and create cost-push inflationary pressure at the macroeconomic level.
As a major importer of primary energy, Japan views risks to peace as a very critical issue. If geopolitical tensions escalate further in East Asia and the Middle East, in addition to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Japan could face significant constraints in securing sufficient energy imports.
Acknowledgements
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Humanising Energy: A look at the G20 Agenda
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