Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of ERIA, gave a keynote speech at PARI-GSDM Symposium on Global Energy Outlook and Energy Policy Challenges of Japan and ASEAN, in Tokyo, Japan, 16 September.

The symposium was hosted by Policy Alternatives Research Institute (PARI) and Global Leader Program for Social Design and Management (GSDM) and supported by ERIA. The symposium discussed policy trends in Japan and energy challenges facing ASEAN and East Asia in order to provide a better understanding of the global energy environment and policy implications for Japan and Asian countries.

Prof. Nishimura presented 'East Asia's Energy Outlook and Challenges,' which addressed three key issues: the energy situation in East Asia, the triple challenges in securing energy future, and the economics of energy policy options.

ERIA's energy studies highlight the following challenges;

Challenges facing East Asiaa. Wiser use of fossil-fuel energyb. Investment in regional energy infrastructurec. Deployment of energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy sources

Challenges facing Japana. Best energy mix including nuclear power generationb. Reforms in FIT policyc. Matured gas market in Asiad. Diffusion of high-quality energy efficient technologies and infrastructure

Prof. Nishimura stressed that "there is significant potential of energy cooperation at many energy fields between East Asia especially ASEAN and Japan and it should be win-win relation."

The speakers at the symposium included:Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of IEA (International Energy Agency)Mr. Nobuo Tanaka, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Former Executive Director of IEA)Mr. Takayuki Ueda, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ofJapan