The Japan Energy Summit and Exhibition 2025 officially opened its doors on Wednesday at Tokyo Big Sight, with more than 50 countries represented and global energy leaders calling for urgent action on supply security, decarbonisation, and long-term investment strategies. As geopolitical volatility continues to test energy systems worldwide, this year’s summit underscores a shift toward pragmatic collaboration and innovation, particularly for energy-hungry economies across Asia.
Addressing the Opening Ceremony, Yoshifumi Murase, commissioner of Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (METI), reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to striking a balance between climate ambition and industrial resilience. “The structure of energy demand and supply is entering a period of profound transformation,” he noted, pointing to renewable integration and economic stability as key priorities.
The summit comes at a pivotal time for Asia-Pacific nations that are ramping up efforts to build circular, low-carbon energy systems. As LNG continues to serve as a transitional fuel across South East Asia, regional players are closely observing Japan’s policy recalibrations.
In a high-profile Global CEO Panel moderated by Bloomberg anchor Shery Ahn, Yukio Kani, global chief executive officer and chair of JERA Co., Inc., highlighted Tokyo Bay’s limited LNG inventory capacity – just 10 days of supply. “Diversification is not optional,” Yukio stated, citing JERA’s recent move to secure 5.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG from the US Gulf as a pre-2030 buffer. His remarks resonated with ASEAN countries facing similar fragility in their energy mix.
TotalEnergies chairman and chief executive officer, Patrick Pouyanné, noted the firm has secured over 30 per cent of new LNG capacity since the Russia-Ukraine conflict by spreading investments across the US, Mozambique, and Oman. “Security of supply depends on trust and resilience—and affordability is key,” he said, a sentiment echoed across developing economies in the region.
Woodside Energy chief executive officer, Meg O’Neill, also underscored the importance of LNG in supporting digital and industrial growth. “24/7 power is non-negotiable, and LNG remains the most practical near-term solution to displace higher-emitting fuels,” she said. As data centre demands surge across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, O’Neill’s comments underline the need to decarbonise without compromising continuity.
Beyond fuel security, the summit’s broader narrative centres on how circular economy principles can be embedded into energy systems. The Climatetech Zone and Energy Innovators Challenge are showcasing solutions from clean hydrogen and carbon capture to AI-powered optimisation—technologies increasingly relevant for ASEAN economies seeking to extend asset life cycles and reduce emissions.
Sessions at the Strategic Summit and Technical Conference will delve into carbon management, digitalisation, and infrastructure investment. With over 300 speakers from government, finance, and industry, the event provides fertile ground for new partnerships, especially as regional governments prepare to implement carbon pricing, smart grid systems, and climate finance mechanisms.
Pathways to Shared Energy Resilience
The Japan Energy Summit and Exhibition 2025 continues through today (20 June) and is co-hosted by Tokyo Gas and JERA. For ASEAN stakeholders, the summit serves not just as a learning platform but as a springboard for region-wide resilience. From Malaysia’s hydrogen ambitions to Vietnam’s LNG infrastructure growth, what happens in Tokyo this week could shape policies, technologies, and trade flows across the Asia-Pacific for years to come.
For more details and the latest programme updates, visit: www.japanenergyevent.com.