Since 1999, I have been involved in greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects under the Kyoto Protocol and emissions trading. Since 2015, I have primarily focused on Japanese power futures trading, and more recently I have been actively participating in the carbon emissions market as a market maker on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Yasumasa Tsugane
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Commodity Trading & Risk Management Division
Senior Marketing Manager
Day1
11/5
10:50
D7
His field of expertise is agricultural economics and commodity markets, and he has published numerous research papers and books on topics such as the impact of speculation on commodity markets and U.S. biofuel policy.
In his recent book “Back to the Futures”, he draws on his own upbringing to explain why the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index failed, and he provides accessible accounts of historical events in commodity markets—such as the “Great Maine Potato War” and the Hunt Brothers’ silver cornering incident—earning strong praise.
He is a Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University.
In his recent book “Back to the Futures”, he draws on his own upbringing to explain why the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index failed, and he provides accessible accounts of historical events in commodity markets—such as the “Great Maine Potato War” and the Hunt Brothers’ silver cornering incident—earning strong praise.
He is a Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University.
Scott H.Irwin
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Department of Agricultural & Consumer Economics
Professor; The Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing
Day1
11/5
11:00
D5
Takayuki Nogami
Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC)
Chief Economist
Day1
11/5
13:00
D7
Education:
– B.B.A., Yonsei University
Career:
– KTB Investment & Securities
– Torus Investment Securities
– Daishin Securities
– Maeil Business Newspaper & The Korea Economic Daily Best Analyst (2014-2026)
– B.B.A., Yonsei University
Career:
– KTB Investment & Securities
– Torus Investment Securities
– Daishin Securities
– Maeil Business Newspaper & The Korea Economic Daily Best Analyst (2014-2026)
Jaesung Yoon
Hana Securities
Corporate Analysis Department
Senior Analyst (Energy / Refining / Petrochemical)
Day1
11/5
13:20
D5
Born in 1951. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo. Completed coursework in the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo, and holds a Ph.D. in Economics. Served as Associate Professor at Aoyama Gakuin University, Professor at The University of Tokyo, Professor at the Graduate School of Hitotsubashi University, Professor at the Graduate School of Tokyo University of Science, and Professor at the Graduate School of International University. Appointed to the current position in 2023. Holds the titles of Professor Emeritus at The University of Tokyo and Hitotsubashi University.
Takeo Kikkawa
International University of Japan (IUJ)
President
Day1
11/5
14:10
G409
Day2
11/6
13:00
D7
Haruhiko Sakaino graduated from the Faculty of Law, Department of Political Science, Keio University in 1992. He joined Nippon Oil Corporation (now ENEOS Corporation) in the same year. In 2019, he joined erex Co., Ltd. In 2025, he founded Connect Energy, LLC and assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He currently serves as CEO of the company.
Haruhiko Sakaino
Connect Energy,LLC
Chief Executive Officer
Day1
11/5
14:10
G409
Graduated from Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University and entered Tokyo Gas in 1988. Graduated from Yale School of Management, U.S. for MBA in 1995. Engaged in LNG terminal operations, procurement, research & development, and overseas business. Seconded JOGMEC as Project Director, Research and Analysis Department. Worked for IEA from 2024.
Yutaka Shirakawa
International Energy Agency
Energy Markets and Security
Gas Analyst
Day2
11/6
10:40
D7
Hidefumi Kurasaka
Chiba University
Graduate School of Social Sciences
Professor
Day2
11/6
11:00
G409
November 2020 – present Professor, AICHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Aichi Japan
April 1987 – October 2020 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, Aich Japan.
Responsible for Resources, Energy, Chemicals, Environmental management.
April 1987 – October 2020 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, Aich Japan.
Responsible for Resources, Energy, Chemicals, Environmental management.
Motohiro Kondoh
Aichi Institute of Technology
Research Institute for Industrial Technology
Professor Dr.,Eng.
Day2
11/6
13:10
D5
Day2
11/6
14:10
D5
Received a master’s degree in Science and Engineering from Waseda University in 2007. Joined Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. in the same year. Transferred temporarily to the Policy Planning Division of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, in 2011. Returned to Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. in 2014. Assumed the role of Group Leader in 2021.
Isao Hasegawa
Mitsubishi Research Institute,Inc.
Electric Power and Energy Division
Chief Research Manager
Day2
11/6
13:10
G409
Yuki Abe has built over 15 years of hands-on experience at the core of Japan’s power infrastructure since 2009—from grid operations at the central load dispatching center to supply-demand optimization using simulation tools. From the early days of grid-scale storage in Japan, he worked on demonstration projects for substation-sited large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), examining their use for grid-voltage stabilization and supply-demand operation.
He subsequently served as Senior Market and Policy Expert at a grid-scale battery storage developer, leading battery policy and market analysis and commercialization, including the Long-Term Decarbonization Auction (LTDA).
In 2026, he founded ReBloom Strategy Co., Ltd. Combining operational expertise on the grid-operator (TSO) side with the commercial perspective of a developer, he advises clients in Japan and overseas on business strategy and policy that reflect both the operating logic of power utilities and the profitability drivers of project developers.
He subsequently served as Senior Market and Policy Expert at a grid-scale battery storage developer, leading battery policy and market analysis and commercialization, including the Long-Term Decarbonization Auction (LTDA).
In 2026, he founded ReBloom Strategy Co., Ltd. Combining operational expertise on the grid-operator (TSO) side with the commercial perspective of a developer, he advises clients in Japan and overseas on business strategy and policy that reflect both the operating logic of power utilities and the profitability drivers of project developers.
Yuki Abe
ReBloom Strategy Co. Ltd.
President
Day2
11/6
13:10
G409
・At Kansai Electric Power Co (KEPCO), was involved in overall electricity business operations and regulatory frameworks, primarily within the corporate planning division.
・Has overseen operations related to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)—a new frontier in the energy sector—for the past eight years.
・As the responsible department manager, developed an aggregation business utilizing customer-side assets (DR resources, storage batteries, and renewable energy) across the country.
・In April 2023, established E-Flow LLC, a company specializing in the operation of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and assumed the role of President.
・In October 2023, established the Energy Resource Aggregation Business Association (ERA)—an industry body for aggregators—and assumed the roles of Representative Director and Chairman; the association has since grown to include 160 member companies.
・Stepped down as President of E-Flow in July 2026 to assume the role of Chief Policy Officer.
・Has overseen operations related to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)—a new frontier in the energy sector—for the past eight years.
・As the responsible department manager, developed an aggregation business utilizing customer-side assets (DR resources, storage batteries, and renewable energy) across the country.
・In April 2023, established E-Flow LLC, a company specializing in the operation of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and assumed the role of President.
・In October 2023, established the Energy Resource Aggregation Business Association (ERA)—an industry body for aggregators—and assumed the roles of Representative Director and Chairman; the association has since grown to include 160 member companies.
・Stepped down as President of E-Flow in July 2026 to assume the role of Chief Policy Officer.
Koichi Kawaguchi
the Energy Resource Aggregation Business Association (ERA)
Representative Director and Chairman(E-Flow LLC Chief Policy Officer)
Day2
11/6
13:10
G409
Kanzou Tanimoto
BATTERY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION（BBA）
Representative
(ShirokumaPower Co., Ltd.CEO)
Day2
11/6
13:10
G409
He joined Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in 1972 after graduating from Applied Chemistry Department of the University of Tokyo. He was appointed chief representative in New York from 1989 to 1994. From 1996 through 2004, he worked at Gas Resources Dept. He was promoted to senior executive officer and CTO in 2004. In 2007, he moved to Energy Solution Division in charge of marketing in commercial and industrial markets and power business. He was appointed Executive Vice President in 2010 and Vice Chairman in 2014. He was Executive Advisor from April 2015 to June 2023. He was Program Director of Energy Carriers for SIP (Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program) from June 2014 to March 2019. He was Representative Director of the Clean Fuel Ammonia Association from July 2019 to June 2022, and President from July 2022 to June 2025, and Advisor from July 2025. He was assigned to Regional Vice Chair, Asia Pacific and South Asia, of World Energy Council from May 2016 to October 2022. He was awarded the Medal of Honor with Blue Ribbon in May 2017.
Shigeru Muraki
Clean Fuel Ammonia Association
Honorary Member
Day2
11/6
13:50
D7
Kiyo Tsujimoto (Ms.) holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the Faculty of Foreign Studies at Sophia University, from which she graduated in March 2005. She joined the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in April 2006.
From March 2012, she served at JETRO Kitakyushu office, followed by an assignment as Director of Research at JETRO São Paulo office starting in March 2014. In July 2019, she was appointed Deputy Director of the Americas Division in the Overseas Research Department. Between September 2023 and August 2024, she completed a Master of Science in Global Development, with a specialization in Globalization, Trade, and Industry, at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Since September 2024, she has been serving in her current role.
From March 2012, she served at JETRO Kitakyushu office, followed by an assignment as Director of Research at JETRO São Paulo office starting in March 2014. In July 2019, she was appointed Deputy Director of the Americas Division in the Overseas Research Department. Between September 2023 and August 2024, she completed a Master of Science in Global Development, with a specialization in Globalization, Trade, and Industry, at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Since September 2024, she has been serving in her current role.
Kiyo Tsujimoto
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Research & Analysis Department Americas Division
Deputy Director
Day2
11/6
14:10
D5
Tommy Hamamoto is the Japan Director of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. Before joining the Council in August 2008, Dr. Hamamoto worked for Monsanto Japan, working on public affairs for two years. From 1997 to 2006, he worked as an agricultural specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, where he was in charge of food safety and standards, including chemical residues and biotechnology. He had been a microbiology research scientist at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) for 11 years, working on early days’ industry application of genetic engineering using bacteria. Dr. Hamamoto received Ph. D. at the Graduate School, University of Tokyo in microbiology.
Tetsuo Tommy Hamamoto
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
Director, Japan,
Day2
11/6
14:10
D5
He had experience in naphtha procurement, polyethylene sales, naphtha brokerage, and was an editor for a petrochemical market newsletter. In May 2026, he founded Hydrocarbon Research and launched the Naphtha Portal as a new information platform in a smart phone application.
Hiroki Yanagimoto
Hydrocarbon Research, Inc.
CEO
Day2
11/6
15:30
D7
Captain Ushirogata is the Senior Research Fellow, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Command and Staff College.
Captain Ushirogata served as Operations Staff at Headquarter Training Squadron, Navigation Officer of JS Mineyuki, JS Atago, Researcher at JMSDF Command and Staff College, Deputy Councellor at National Ocean Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan and Senior Research Fellow at Joint Staff College.
Ushirogata holds Ph.D in International Relations from National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies （GRIPS） in Japan in 2017. His major publications are as below;
“Kaiyo-Senryakuron”2nd Edition, in Japanese （Comparative Analysis of Maritime Military Strategies―Area Denial, Sea Control, and Power Projection） （2026）, and “Owusu to Asia ni okeru kaku no shikiichi” in Japanese （“The Difference of Nuclear Threshold between Europe and Asia-Gedanken Experiment as to Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons”） （Co-authored, 2023）, Global Maritime Military Strategy, 1980-2023, Springer, March 2025.
Captain Ushirogata served as Operations Staff at Headquarter Training Squadron, Navigation Officer of JS Mineyuki, JS Atago, Researcher at JMSDF Command and Staff College, Deputy Councellor at National Ocean Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan and Senior Research Fellow at Joint Staff College.
Ushirogata holds Ph.D in International Relations from National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies （GRIPS） in Japan in 2017. His major publications are as below;
“Kaiyo-Senryakuron”2nd Edition, in Japanese （Comparative Analysis of Maritime Military Strategies―Area Denial, Sea Control, and Power Projection） （2026）, and “Owusu to Asia ni okeru kaku no shikiichi” in Japanese （“The Difference of Nuclear Threshold between Europe and Asia-Gedanken Experiment as to Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons”） （Co-authored, 2023）, Global Maritime Military Strategy, 1980-2023, Springer, March 2025.
Keitaro Ushirogata
JMSDF Command and Staff College
Strategic Studies Department
Captain/Senior Research Fellow
Day2
11/6
15:50
D5
Go Matsuo
Energy Economics and Society Research Institute LLC.
Managing Director
Day2
11/6
15:50
D5
Speaking Schedule
Profile
