At GRIPS Forum on May 16, 2022, Mr. Tanaka Nobuo, Chair, ICEF Steering Committee, gave a lecture titled “Geopolitics of Energy Security and Transformation toward Carbon Neutrality”.

Abstract:

The IEA was established for energy security after the first oil shock in 1974. It manages collective release of Strategic Petroleum Stockpiles and the on going Ukraine war triggered the unprecedented releases. EU banned import of coal from Russia and will ban oil and maybe natural gas as well. Global energy market will be drastically impacted by these sanctions. On the other hand Climate change mitigation has been strengthened by COP26 at Glasgow. The Ukraine war may accelerate energy transition toward decarbonization. EU will further expand the use of renewable energies to reduce fossil dependency on Russia. If natural gas is banned, will Germany change its nuclear phaseout policy? Will Japan restart more nuclear power plants which were shut down after the Fukushima accident? Germany will use Hydrogen as much as possible. How will Japan use hydrogen? Geopolitical battles between NATO and Russia as well as the US and China will significantly change the world. Energy diplomacy will be the heart of it. Nuclear non-Proliferation regime is at the brink of collapse. How can Japan contribute sustainable and peaceful use of nuclear power?

Speaker: Mr. Tanaka Nobuo, Chair, ICEF Steering Committee

Speaker’s Profile:

Tanaka Nobuo is CEO of Tanaka Global, Inc. He joined the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) as President in 2015 and in December 2016 he became Chairman, a position he held until June 2020. Also as Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) from 2007 to 2011, he initiated a collective release of oil stocks in June 2011. He also played a crucial and personal role in the strengthening of ties with major non-Member energy players, including China and India.

He began his career in 1973 in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and has served in a number of high-ranking positions, including Director-General of the Multilateral Trade System Department. He was deeply engaged in bilateral trade issues with the US as Minister for Industry, Trade and Energy at the Embassy of Japan, Washington DC. He has also served twice as Director for Science, Technology and Industry (DSTI) of the Paris-based international organization, OECD.

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About GRIPS Forum:

Since its establishment in 1997, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), as the only graduate school in Japan specializing in policy research, has promoted education and research on a wide range of policy issues.

Utilizing our vast policy network, this Forum invites leaders from various fields including government, academia and business, as well as staff from our own faculty, to deliver lectures on current policy concerns.

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