Program

Born in 1974. Mr. Atsushi Okuda earned his Master’s degree in Architecture from the School of Creative Science and Engineering at Waseda University in March 2000. He joined Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in April of the same year, where he worked in design and safety operations, followed by positions in product development and research related to kitchen equipment and facilities. He later served as Team Leader of Recruitment in the Human Resources Development Office and Manager of the Commercial Solutions Technology Group. Since 2022, he has been with The Japan Gas Association as Manager of the Energy and Environment Group in the Planning Department. He also serves as Director of the Carbon Neutral Promotion Center. In his current role, he is responsible for developing strategies and responding to energy policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in the city gas industry.

Completed the doctoral program in Production Science at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University, in March 2001, and earned a Doctor of Engineering degree. Engaged in research and development focused on the practical application and standardization of new fuel utilization systems, as well as the development of low-emission, high-efficiency engines.

Born in 1951. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo. Completed coursework in the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo, and holds a Ph.D. in Economics. Served as Associate Professor at Aoyama Gakuin University, Professor at The University of Tokyo, Professor at the Graduate School of Hitotsubashi University, Professor at the Graduate School of Tokyo University of Science, and Professor at the Graduate School of International University. Appointed to the current position in 2023. Holds the titles of Professor Emeritus at The University of Tokyo and Hitotsubashi University.

He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tokyo in 1993 and earned his Ph.D. from the same university in 1998. After serving as a Research Associate at the University of Tokyo, he joined Waseda University in 2001 and held various academic positions before being appointed to his current position in 2012. He has served on numerous governmental advisory councils and committees. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). His awards include the Chemical Society of Japan Award for Academic Achievements in 2019 and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Science and Technology in 2020. His research specializes in hydrogen, ammonia, and renewable energy-derived fuels.

Born in 1950, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo and subsequently joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. He earned an MBA in the United States. After serving as Director of the Science, Technology and Industry Directorate at the OECD and Minister-Counselor at the Japanese Embassy in the United States, he was appointed Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Since then, he has held positions including Special Advisor at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), Professor at the University of Tokyo, Chairperson of the ICEF Steering Committee, and Chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. He is currently the CEO of Tanaka Global Co., Ltd.

After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo in 1986, the speaker joined Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., where they held various positions including in the Raw Materials Department, the New York Office, and the Overseas Business Department. In 2006, they became a Natural Gas Analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA). Since 2010, they have served as Senior Researcher and later as Chief Researcher at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). Currently, they are a Senior Specialist in the field of resources, fuels, and energy security at IEEJ.

Born in 1953. Completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and earned a Doctorate in Science. Joined Toshiba Corporation, where he was engaged in research on radioactive waste treatment technologies and dry reprocessing, a next-generation technology for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. Served as Chief Distinguished Engineer at Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation. Later appointed as Program Manager of the Cabinet Office’s ImPACT program titled “Reduction and Resource Recycling of High-Level Radioactive Wastes through Nuclear Transmutation.” Served as the 36th President of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan (2014–2015), as a Decontamination Advisor for Fukushima Prefecture, and as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Born in Hiroshima City in 1967. Completed a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, in 1992, and joined Japan Atomic Power Company the same year. Obtained an MBA from the Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio University, in 2004. Joined the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) in 2005, and assumed his current position in 2023. Areas of expertise include nuclear engineering (core and fuel design and safety analysis), nuclear energy policy, trends in low-carbon technology industries, corporate economics, and financial analysis.

After graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo in 2009, the speaker joined Mitsui & Co., Ltd., where they were engaged in investment and marketing of LNG, uranium, and coal projects until 2021. In the same year, they joined the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). While at IEEJ, they conducted research on the relationship between government and industry in Japan’s resource diplomacy at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, and earned a Ph.D. in 2022. Their areas of expertise include international energy affairs—particularly LNG—and Japan’s resource and energy policy. Their major publication is ‘’Contemporary Japan’s Energy Resource Diplomacy’’ (Fuyo Shobo Publishing, January 2024).