Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol in Tokyo on Monday to discuss energy security, supply chain resilience and cooperation on critical minerals.
Takaichi said Japan wanted to promote its POWERR GX initiative internationally as part of efforts to strengthen the stability of global energy supply and demand, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
The program seeks to reinforce Japan’s access to reliable fossil fuel supplies while accelerating the country’s Green Transformation, or GX, toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
During the meeting, Takaichi renewed Japan’s call for stronger international cooperation based on three priorities: maintaining open and transparent energy trade, coordinating oil stockpiles and improving dialogue between energy-producing and consuming countries.
Birol welcomed Japan’s energy policies, including POWERR Asia and POWERR GX, and said the IEA would continue working with Tokyo to support stable global energy markets.
The two officials also discussed diversifying energy sources and reducing vulnerabilities in supply chains for critical minerals, which are essential for batteries, renewable energy technologies and other advanced industries.
Birol separately met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, with their talks also covering critical mineral security and efforts to increase the presence of Japanese personnel within the IEA.
Japan and the IEA agreed to maintain close coordination as energy markets face geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and growing demand for materials needed in the global energy transition.