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Green Transformation (GX) Financing Landscape and Opportunities in Japan

Jun Kasamatsu

Japan Symposium, 13 March 2025

On 4 March, Green Giraffe Advisory, in collaboration with Daiwa Securities and co-hosted by the Development Bank of Japan, successfully organized a symposium titled “Green Transformation (GX) Financing Landscape and Opportunities in Japan”. This event provided a valuable platform for our clients and friends to engage in insightful discussions.

 

Key Topics Discussed

  • Current State and Future Prospects of Green Financing in Japan
  • Strategies for Overcoming Financial Challenges in the Renewable Energy Sector

 

Key Takeaway

The Japanese market presents numerous opportunities for growth and investment in the green energy sector, as highlighted in the 7th Strategic Energy Plan. Achieving the energy transition in Japan requires bridging the funding gap and managing the risk profile of new assets. This can be accomplished through extensive collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and borders, particularly by leveraging expertise from more advanced markets such as Europe.

 

Symposium Highlights

Opening Presentations
The symposium started with a presentation by Barbara Zuiderwijk, Managing Director of Green Giraffe Advisory, with the title “Financing the energy transition”. 

The other opening presentor was Fumiyo Harada, Managing Executive Officer, Development Bank of Japan. Her opening presentation was titled “Direction of GX (green transformation) and CN (carbon neutrality) in Japan”.

Barbara Zuiderwijk's presentation – Financing the energy transition

Download here

Roundtable 1: Financing Landscape – How to Unlock Required Funding to Reap Benefits for the Japanese Industry

  • Moderator: Shingo Kanatani, Head of Sustainability Management, Corporate Planning Department, Development Bank of Japan Inc.
  • Panellists:
    • Fumihiro Kajikawa, Director, GX Acceleration Agency
    • Toshiyasu Ohashi, Senior Managing Director, Daiwa Institute of Research
    • Toyoda Kohei, Director General for Energy Transformation Strategy, Energy and Natural Resources Finance Group, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
    • Shinichi Yasuda, Senior Vice President, Structured Finance Department, Development Bank of Japan Inc.

 

Roundtable 2: Opportunities and Challenges in the Japanese Market – Case Studies from Offshore Wind and Clean Hydrogen

  • Moderator: Jun Kasamatsu, Head of Japan, Green Giraffe Advisory
  • Panellists:
    • Gregory Davies, Director, Green Giraffe Advisory
    • Keiichi Suzuki, Partner, Head of Renewables and Sustainability, Advantage Partners
    • James Laybourn, Asia Pacific Regional Sales Director, DNV (Det Norske Veritas)
    • Hiroaki Kobayashi, Head of Offshore Energy and Renewable Offshore Wind, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance
    • Tatsuro Watanabe, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)

 
Keynote Speech
Markus Exenberger, CEO of H2Global Foundation and Chairman of the Executive Board, provided inspirational insights on shaping the hydrogen economy in Japan.

 
Closing Presentation
Toru Yamamoto, Senior Managing Director, Daiwa Securities gave a very interesting presentation about how the audience/private sector plays a crucial role in decarbonization.

Thank you to all speakers and participants for making this event a success. We look forward to continuing our work together towards a sustainable future.

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