The Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project, a cornerstone of Japan’s efforts in CCS technology development, has reached an important milestone, achieving its target of 300 thousand tonnes of CO2 injection in November 2019. The Japanese Government has just released a summary report outlining the project’s main results, lessons learned and future issues. This webinar provided an overview of the report and a preview of the outlook for CCUS in the context of Japan’s energy strategy.

Panelists

Brian Allison, CEM CCUS Initiative Co-Lead, Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy | UK Government

Brian has developed UK energy policy since 2002; he joined the BEIS CCUS Policy Team in 2010 and leads on CCUS R&D, innovation and international collaboration. Brian represents the UK on the Technical Group of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG) and co-leads the CCUS CEM Initiative where he is pursuing, in line with the BEIS Clean Growth Strategy, opportunities to encourage the development of CCUS R&D internationally. Brian is the UK lead for the CCUS “ACT” (Accelerating CCUS Technologies) grant programme where he works with a number of international consortium partners. He is the co-lead for the Mission Innovation Carbon Capture and Storage Challenge. Brian is also an Associate Lecturer with The Open University, where he tutors on their Renewable Energy and Communication and Information Technology courses.

Yoshihiro Sawada, Corporate Adviser, General Manager, International Affairs Dept. | Japan CCS Co., Ltd.

Joining Japan CCS in 2010, Mr. Yoshihiro Sawada has served as Executive Managing Director and President of the Plant Division between 2015 and 2017, and Corporate Adviser and General Manager of the International Affairs Dept. since 2017. Between 2004 and 2009, he was with Japan Continental Shelf Survey Corp., with the mission to extend the outer limits of the continental shelf of Japan, serving as president between 2007 and 2009. Prior to this, he was involved in research, engineering and construction of offshore structures and pipelines at Nippon Steel Corp., which he joined in 1977. Mr. Sawada holds a M.S. (Civil Engineering), from the University of Tokyo and University of New York, and a Bachelor (Civil Engineering) from the University of Tokyo, and is a certified Professional Engineer of Japan.

Jiro Tanaka, Associate General Manager, International Affairs Dept. | Japan CCS Co., Ltd.

Jiro Tanaka has over 35 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Tanaka joined the International Affairs Dept. of Japan CCS in June 2016, which was newly established to engage in international activities such as information sharing and collaboration. Prior to this, he was General Manager - Business Development in the Asia-Oceania and International Oil & Gas Divisions of Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (JAPEX), a leading Japanese oil & gas exploration and production company. Mr. Tanaka joined JAPEX in April 1980 after receiving a B.S. degree in geophysics from the University of Tokyo.

Yukihiro Kawaguchi, Director, Global Environmental Affairs Office | Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Yukihiro Kawaguchi is the Director of the Global Environmental Affairs Office – in charge of international relations on climate change issues in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan. Mr. Kawaguchi is also in charge of CCUS policy and technology development. Mr. Kawaguchi previously served as the Director of the Global Environment Partnership Office and as the Deputy Director of the Environmental Policy Division and the Environmental Economy Office in METI. Mr. Kawaguchi was also the Secretary General of the Japan Business Council in Europe. Mr. Kawaguchi obtained a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Waseda University and a Master of Arts in public affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.