The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
The LNG Value Chain and the Carbon-Neutral Society（On-site and online streaming）
OSAKA GAS CO.,LTD.
Discussion
- Climate change
- Decarbonisation
- Renewable energy
- hydrogen society, circular economy
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Theme Weeks CONNECT
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.09.24[Wed]
14:00 ～ 17:00
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Connect (Outside Venue)
- Hotel Okura Kyoto (537-4, Ichinofunairicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 604-0924 Japan)
© 2025 by Osaka Gas Co.,Ltd.
Programme details
Focusing on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an energy source with low environmental impact, this seminar will introduce and discuss in an easy-to-understand manner the technologies, systems, and global trends related to e-methane, as a renewable energy source, and the gas industry's efforts towards the realization of a carbon neutral society. Presented by: Chair of IGU LNG Committee: Atsuo Kanno (Osaka Gas)
Cast
Moderator
© 2025 by Osaka Gas Co.,Ltd.
Hiroshi Hashimoto
The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan
Senior Fellow at IEEJ, Energy Security Unit. Formerly with Tokyo Gas and IEA. IGU Strategy Committee member. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo.
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Satoshi Yoshida
Japan Gas Association
Honorary Member of the International Gas Union. Former Chair of its Sustainability Committee and Regional Coordinator. Led key roles at Tokyo Gas and Japan Gas Association. Now Senior Adviser.
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Speakers
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Hideharu Sakota
Director of Gas Market Office Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2004. Since then, he has primarily been engaged in policy planning in the energy sector. Most recently, he served as Director of the Market Policy Planning Office at the Electricity and Gas Market Surveillance Commission Executive Bureau, Director of the Electricity Infrastructure Division at the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, and as Director at Council of New Form of Capitalism Realization Executive Bureau. He assumed his current position in July 2025. Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Economics.
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Katsumi (Ken) Kuroda
Cheniere Marketing Ltd
Engaged in energy business for more than 30 years at Mitsubishi Corporation. Joined BG Group to assume the position of the first General Manager of its Tokyo Office in 2013.
Joined Cheniere Marketing Ltd. as Senior Advisor in December 2016.
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Mark McCrory
International Gas Union
Before joining the IGU, Mark led Neptune Energy’s engagement with Governments, trade associations and policy stakeholders, and previously had worked for Shell for ten years in various senior regulatory, advocacy and business development roles.
Early in his career, Mark worked within the UK’s Foreign, Trade and Finance Ministries before joining Shell to work on the Russia/CIS region and was appointed in 2015 as regional General Manager in the Southern Caspian. Following successive senior government relations roles in the UK and Denmark, Mark joined Shell Energy’s market advocacy team to lead on the key policy and regulatory opportunities and challenges for Shell’s gas strategy execution. In this role, he also chaired the IGU’s Strategic Communications & Outreach Taskforce.
Mark has a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and started his career with roles in the finance, corporate planning and trading functions of Enterprise Oil.
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Seiki Takatoshi
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. Energy Trading Company LNG Business Dept. Research & Business Planning Sect.
Specializing in finance and accounting, with experience in pipeline business, finance and accounting departments, power business, overseas business development, and LNG business divisions. Has engaged in LNG business for approximately eight years, currently responsible for making LNG strategy, research, international conference support, and digital implementation aimed at improving operational efficiency across multiple areas.
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Ryutaro Okuzawa
Executive Officer
In charge of Energy Co-ordination Group, Tanker Group and Fuel Group
Assists the Officer who is in charge of LNG Group
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Ir Don H.K. Cheng
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Founded in 1862 and the first public utility company in Hong Kong.)
Chief Operating Officer – Hong Kong Utility of Towngas, managing all Hong Kong operations and green energy development. Over 30 years’ experience in gas engineering, customer service, product development, marketing, sales, and hydrogen & green methanol projects. Chartered Engineer with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and Fellow of the UK Energy Institute. Holds B.A.Sc. in Engineering Chemistry, B.Sc., and M.Sc. in Mathematical Statistics from Canadian universities. Actively involved in academic, industrial, and public services, including Advisor to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at HKUST, Vice-Chairman of the Energy Group of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and Member of the Dangerous Goods Standing Committee of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department.
B.Sc., B.ASc., MSc., CEng, FEI, MIGEM, MHKIE, MHKAEE, MHKIM
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Motoyuki Hirabayashi
Osaka Gas Co.,Ltd.
Senior General Manager of the Energy Resources & Carbon Neutral Business Development Department at Osaka Gas. Led the acquisition of upstream interests in the Gorgon LNG Project in Australia. As President of Osaka Gas Singapore, expanded energy businesses across ASEAN countries. Currently spearheading upstream operations and carbon neutral initiatives in the U.S. and Australia. Graduated of Osaka University, Faculty of Economics in 1992.
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Tomoo Machiba
Managing Director, Zeroboard Research Institute Zeroboard Inc.
Mr. Machiba has over 25 years of experience in sustainable development, climate change and energy transition as public policy and corporate strategy advisor. Living abroad for nearly a quarter century, he has established an extensive international profile as he worked at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Wuppertal Institute, OECD, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and UAE federal government, most lately as Deputy Director of UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). He is currently serving as Managing Director of the Zeroboard Research Institute at Zeroboard Inc., a leading GHG/ESG data solutions provider in Japan and Asia-Pacific. Mr. Machiba is also serving on GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) and GHG Protocol’s Technical Working Group (TWG).
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Bien Wong
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Bien Wong is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in sustainability strategy, corporate communications, and investor relations. As Head of Group ESG, he leads the integration of sustainability into business strategy and ensures compliance with global standards. He has worked with multinational firms and Hong Kong-listed companies, specializing in ESG disclosure and corporate compliance.
He holds a master’s degree from The University of Hong Kong and a bachelor’s degree from the University of York, UK. Bien was among the first in Asia Pacific to complete the Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) program and now serves as an examiner for EFFAS.
Beyond his corporate role, Bien is active in public service, promoting sustainable finance and good governance. He sits on several advisory bodies for the HKSAR Government, including the Environmental Campaign Committee and Housing Appeal Panel. He also serves as a Board Governor of Friends of the Earth Hong Kong, where he supports environmental advocacy and sustainability initiatives.
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Co-organiser
The Japan Gas Association
More Information
The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
The LNG Value Chain and the Carbon-Neutral Society（On-site and online streaming）
-
2025.09.24[Wed]
14:00～17:00
(Venue Open 14:00)
- Theme Weeks Connect (Outside Venue)
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
© 2025 by Osaka Gas Co.,Ltd.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
