In 2026, the energy industry faces a turning point greater than ever before. In Japan, subsidies on petroleum products are reduced in stages with the aim of removing them eventually. This allows market trade to gradually return to their fundamental nature. Furthermore, in April, efforts began toward the full-scale launch of GX-ETS trading. Attention is focused on this new framework where market mechanisms support corporate decarbonization activities. Furthermore, restructuring in the petrochemical industry is progressing in Japan and South Korea, redefining Asia’s industrial structure itself. The adoption of next-generation fuels such as bio-gasoline, SAF, biodiesel, and bio-bunkers is also accelerating.
Meanwhile, turning our gaze to the world, the international community remains in a phase of uncertainty, marked by policy shifts of US President Donald Trump, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the unstable situation in the Middle East. This heightened uncertainty once again underscores the critical importance of stable energy supplies and transparency in trading markets.
Under these, circumstances, the theme of the second Rim Energy Agora is “Charting the Future of the Energy Industry.” The future map serves as a guidepost leading from the present to the future, and also as a compass pointing the way forward. We hope the Agora will provide insights for everyone involved in the energy industry to decipher complex changes and plan the next steps.
Rim Intelligence will continue to contribute to market transparency through fair price assessments. At the same time, we provide the Agora – a forum where energy players from Japan and around the world gather to share technology and insights while envisioning the future of energy. Together with you, we aim to chart the course for tomorrow.