Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Ishiba by Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) (Summary)
On March 27, commencing at 5:45 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call from Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The overview of the courtesy call is as follows.
At the outset, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that the IEA is the most authoritative international organization in the field of energy and commended Executive Director Birol's leadership in the energy sector, referring to the IEA's contributions to the G7 Hiroshima Summit two years ago. Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed his gratitude for Executive Director Birol’s supporting Japan's energy policy, including Executive Director Birol's visit to the TEPCO’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Station. Furthermore, he stated that cooperation with the IEA becomes even more crucial for Japan, which faces significant challenges in achieving energy self-sufficiency, and with unstable global energy security landscape. The Prime Minister also emphasized that the IEA's core mission is securing energy security and Japan attaches importance on the IEA’s functions.
In response, Executive Director Birol highlighted the meaningfulness of his visit to Japan, mentioning his meetings with H.E. Mr. Iwaya, Minister of Foreign Affairs and H.E. Mr. Muto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Executive Director Birol also highlighted the significance of his visit to the TEPCO’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Station. Executive Director Birol stated that nuclear power plays a crucial role in Japan's efforts to ensure a secure and affordable energy supply while simultaneously addressing climate change. Executive Director Birol further reiterated that energy security remains at the core of the IEA's mission and expressed gratitude for Japan's continued support for the IEA. Executive Director Birol also expressed his support for the 7th Strategic Energy Plan, formulated in February this year.
Finally, both sides confirmed their commitment to continued close cooperation.※
