Japan’s Expanding Energy Cooperation in ASEAN
During Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s recent visit to Malaysia, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation across the energy sector. The leaders pledged to advance collaboration in CCS, ammonia power generation, power grids, ocean thermal energy conversion, biomass, hydrogen, and LNG. Japanese firms notably formed a series of long-term agreements with Malaysian energy giants Petronas and Petros. Ishiba also expressed renewed support for the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework during his subsequent visit to Indonesia. Environmentalists argue AZEC may extend reliance on fossil fuels, calling for a fairer and more expedited plan. Despite concerns, Japan remains committed to the project with continued support from other global partners.
Complimentarily, Japan and the U.S. announced a joint effort to develop energy-sector human resources across ASEAN member states beginning in 2025. This initiative will welcome ASEAN officials to nearby Japan for training on nuclear and LNG plant safety standards, aligning with Japanese and U.S. efforts to establish safety protocols in the region. Workshops will be administered by Japanese and U.S. officials from across the energy industry and policy space. By fostering knowledge exchange, Japan and the U.S. private sector seek to strengthen ties with ASEAN, facilitate decarbonization efforts, and support Japanese and U.S. companies’ entry into emerging markets.
