Mr. MATSUMOTO Shintaro is an Executive Director at NEDO. He oversees the Hydrogen and Ammonia Department, the Renewable Energy Department, the Circular Economy Department, and the Green Innovation Fund Projects Coordination Office.

His career began in 1996 at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the former name for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). There, he worked on global environmental issues, such as adding fluorocarbon emissions reduction rules to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at COP3 in Kyoto, and was involved in developing industrial innovation technology and coordinating a national strategy to address ethical issues related to AI.

He has also been passionate about disaster relief. In 2011, he was instrumental in post-earthquake reconstruction efforts and coordinated the Future Vision of Fukushima. In 2024 he established the national comprehensive disaster prevention information system SOBO-WEB and in 2025, a national disaster relief supplies support system called B-PLo.

Mr. Matsumoto completed his master’s in 1996 at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering in the Department of Chemical System Engineering. His research focused on developing a method of reducing CO2 emissions using coral reefs as CO2 sinks through the chemical balance of calcification and photosynthesis.

Curt Coccodrilli is the Acting Assistant Secretary and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO). In this role, Mr. Coccodrilli helps set the strategic direction for HGEO.
Mr. Coccodrilli grew up in Clarks Green, PA, and on his family farm and shooting range near Lake Ariel, PA. After graduating from Keystone College and Colorado College, he spent the next 20 years co-owning a small business before venturing into real estate, land management, and oilfield services. For his work related to farm and landowner issues, Mr. Coccodrilli received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition on mineral rights and advocacy related to the Marcellus Shale boom.
In 2017, he was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the Pennsylvania State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program. During his tenure as director, Mr. Coccodrilli was instrumental in creating partnerships with many other federal agencies and Pennsylvania stakeholders regarding essential programs like broadband connectivity, energy development, community facilities, loan guarantees, and residential and multi-family mortgages.
As a member of the USDA Opioid Task Force, Mr. Coccodrilli hosted the first national opioid roundtable in Pennsylvania. Mr. Coccodrilli also chaired the USDA National Taskforce on Energy. Through his leadership, more effective collaboration and partnerships were created across select Federal Agencies, including the establishment of a Secretarial-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy. Mr. Coccodrilli also served as the federal liaison to the Tri-State Governor’s Shale Council and was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Rural Affairs.
His passion for rural electrification helped him earn the 2018 Undersecretary’s award for Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Innovation. He served for a time as Congressman Dan Meuser’s District Director for the Pennsylvania 9th congressional district. Mr. Coccodrilli most recently was appointed as a Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations before joining HGEO.

Paul Baruya is Director of Strategy and Sustainability at FutureCoal. Since joining in 2022, he has led work on the role of advanced coal technologies in a carbon-neutral future and the strategic importance of coal in developing economies.

Paul’s expertise spans energy-system modelling and market analysis. He has built long-term global electricity forecasts from the perspectives of coal, gas, renewables, and nuclear; analysed European gas trade and pricing; and assessed international coal trade dynamics. His technical work also includes modelling energy use and emissions across power generation, steel, cement, and transport sectors.

He started his career at the econometric consultancy IHS Global Insight (now IHS Markit), where he worked on long-term forecasting of demand and supply in global power, coal, and gas markets, as well as CO2 and price modelling for European pipeline gas and LNG, road transport, steel, and cement. He later worked at the former AEA Technology (now Ricardo), one of the UK’s most prominent environmental consultancies. Paul helped design the New Entrant Reserve for the UK’s early-2000s CO2 trading scheme. He contributed to programmes on end-user energy efficiency in buildings and consumer products, as well as to modelling frameworks for renewable energy support and certificate mechanisms.

Just before FutureCoal, Paul served as a senior analyst at the International Centre for Sustainable Carbon, an IEA Technology Collaboration Programme, where he studied mining cost structures, coal–gas competition in Asia, energy trends in Africa, and global biomass resources.

Paul holds an MSc in Environmental Technology and Energy Policy from Imperial College London.

Dr. Yoshikazu Kobayashi is Chief Economist at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). He possesses extensive expertise in international energy markets and the energy industry, gained through both professional practice and academic research. Prior to joining IEEJ, he worked at Tonen General Sekiyu, the Japanese affiliate of ExxonMobil Corporation, where he specialized in petroleum refining operations analysis and marine transportation optimization. Since joining IEEJ, Dr. Kobayashi has conducted extensive research on Asian energy markets and regional energy security. Since 2020, his work has focused on the deployment and integration of next-generation clean energy technologies, including hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Dr. Kobayashi holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), an M.A. in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a B.A. in Social Sciences from Hitotsubashi University.

Will Latta is Vice President, BrightLoop™, for Babcock & Wilcox (B&W).

Mr. Latta is an industry leader in commercializing new and novel sustainable energy technologies. He has 30 years of experience in engineering, R&D, operations, finance, and venture capital and project development in both large multi-national organizations and start-ups.

As an entrepreneur, Mr. Latta took a one-person start-up to $100M in revenue on multiple continents.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Duke University.

1982:

Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo; joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

1996-1999:

Counsellor, Japanese Mission to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

1999–2001:

Director of the Energy and Environment Policy Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; Director-General for Energy Conservation Policy; Director-General for New Energy Policy

2001–2002:

Director of International Energy Strategy Planning, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

2002–2006:

Head, Country Studies Division, International Energy Agency (IEA)

2006–2007:

Director of International Affairs Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

2007–2008:

Counsellor for International Energy Negotiations, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

2008–2011:

Deputy Director-General for Global Environmental Affairs

2011–2015:

Director General Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Special Advisor for Global Environmental Affairs, METI

2015:

Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), University of Tokyo

2018:

Retired from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and appointed Professor, GraSPP, University of Tokyo

2021:

Project Professor, GraSPP, University of Tokyo

2025:

Visiting Professor, GraSPP, University of Tokyo Special Councilor, Japan Organization of Metal and Energy Security (JOGMEC) Professor, Faculty of Business Creation, Kaishi Professional University

Since 2024, Sebastian has been driving the development of sustainable and resilient energy solutions as Head of Future Energy Systems and advisor for Hydrogen, CCUS and Biomethane at vgbe energy e.V. (DE).

He is an internationally versatile expert with extensive experience as an advisor for hydrogen, biogas, biomass, biomethane, and fire and explosion protection. He has an educational background in waste process engineering and is also a certified hydrogen network engineer.

Sebastian is a highly skilled engineer with a strong background in waste and thermal process engineering, energy systems, and safety management.

2008–2011:

Process Engineer, VKK Standardkessel Köthen GmbH

2011–2021:

Advisor for Biomass, Biogas, Fire and Explosion Protection, VGB PowerTech e.V.

2022–2023:

Advisor for Hydrogen, Biomethane, Fire and Explosion Protection, vgbe energy e.V.

Since 2024:

Head of Future Energy System, vgbe energy e.V.

Mr. Liu Yongdong serves as Deputy Secretary‑General of China Electricity Council (CEC) and Director of the CEC Standardization Department. He also works as Chairman of the CEC Branch of Electric Mobility and Energy Storage, Chairman of the Energy Industry Technical Committee for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Standardization, Director of the National Safety Monitoring Information Platform for Electrochemical Energy Storage Power Stations, and a registered expert of IEC TC69 (International Electrotechnical Commission). He served as the Technical Committee Chairman of the Association of the Electricity Supply Industry of East Asia and Western Pacific (AESIEAP) for the 2024–2025 term.

Mr. Liu has long been engaged in scientific research and standardization work in the power sector, and has accumulated in-depth knowledge of power systems and power standards. Since 2008, he has led the development of China’s standard systems for UHV AC and DC power transmission, and advanced comprehensive standardization for smart grids. He spearheaded the formulation of national standard systems for conductive charging, wireless charging and battery swapping of electric vehicles, and organized the development of national standards for electric vehicle charging connectors. In addition, Mr. Liu proposed the establishment of the National Safety Monitoring Information Platform for Electrochemical Energy Storage Power Stations, and led the compilation of statistical reports for China’s electrochemical energy storage industry.

1984:

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nagoya University, Bachelor of Engineering

1986:

ditto, Master of Engineering

1989:

ditto, Doctor of Engineering

# Professional career

1989:

Research Associate, Department of Energy Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology

1994:

Associate Professor, Department of Ecological Engineering, ditto

1997:

Visiting researcher, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona (-1998)

2006:

Professor, International Cooperation Center for Engineering Education Development, Toyohashi University of Technology

2007:

Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Nagoya University

2012:

Professor, EcoTopia Science Institute, ditto

2015:

Professor, Institute of Material and System for Sustainability, ditto

2017:

Vice Director, ditto

2020:

Director, ditto (-2024.3.31)

# Specialty

Energy and Environmental Engineering, Coal Utilization, Biomass and Waste Management, Energy Conversion Engineering

Jul. 2025

Senior Executive Officer, B2B strategy General Manager, Coal and Energy Solution Department

Jul. 2024

Senior Executive Officer, B2B Business Platform & General Manager, Coal and Energy Solution Department

Jun. 2022

Executive Officer & General Manager, Coal and Energy Solution Department

Jul. 2021

Executive Officer & General Manager, Corporate Planning Department.

Jun. 2020

General Manager, Corporate Planning Department

Apr. 2018

General Manager, Electronic Materials Department

Apr. 2014

General Manager, Corporate Strategy Office, Corporate Planning Department

May. 2011

Representative Director & Vice President, Panasonic Idemitsu OLED Lighting Co.,Ltd.

Apr. 2010

Marketing Group Leader, Electronic Materials Department

Jul. 2008

Administration Group Leader, Electronic Materials Department

Apr. 2004

General Planning Department

Feb. 1996

Operations Department (Integrated Supply & Trading Department)

Jul. 1993

Omiya Branch

Jun. 1990

Moji Branch

Apr. 1990

Joined Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd.

Erik Mayer is vice president, clean energy and business development, with responsibility for advancing CF Industries’ clean energy and decarbonization initiatives as well as developing new business opportunities. He has led the Company’s clean energy team since 2021. Mr. Mayer joined CF Industries in 2005 and served in a series of increasingly senior roles focused on the development, construction, and operation of ammonia and downstream nitrogen product manufacturing assets. From 2019-2021 he led the commercial activities and marketing and sales strategy for CF Industries’ global ammonia business.

Dr. Tetsushi Kanda serves as Deputy Director of the Kajima Technical Research Institute (KaTRI), one of Japan’s leading industrial research organizations in construction and infrastructure engineering. He obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan, USA, in 1998.

Over the past three decades, Dr. Kanda has been at the forefront of developing and implementing advanced cementitious materials and structural technologies, contributing significantly to the practical application of ultra-high-strength concrete and high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites in major construction projects. More recently, his research has focused on shrinkage-cracking control and low-carbon and carbon-neutral/negative technologies for concrete and infrastructure systems. His work is characterized by a strong commitment to translating scientific innovation into practical engineering solutions, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world construction while maintaining economic feasibility and constructability.

Apr. 2001

Joined NKK Corporation (now JFE Steel Corporation)

Apr. 2014

Manager, Steelmaking Plant Maintenance Sec., Plant Engineering Dept., West Japan Works(Fukuyama District)

Jan. 2018

Senior Staff, Planning Dept., West Japan Works

Apr. 2021

Senior Staff, Corporate Planning Dept.

Apr. 2024

Senior Staff, Green Transformation Planning Dept., Green Transformation Strategy Headquarters

Apr. 2026

General Manager, Green Transformation Planning Dept., Green Transformation Strategy Headquarters

Mr. Charoenchai Chaliewkriengkrai presently holds the position of Vice President - BioCircular Business at SCG Cement, Executive Committee of the Federation of Thai Industries and Honorary Chairman of Saraburi’s Federation of Thai Industries. He is a co-founder of Saraburi Sandbox Initiative, Thailand’s first area-based low-carbon city model. He graduated from Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand, with Bachelor degree of Chemical Engineering. He has completed some of prestigious director training programs; i.e. Management Development Program (MDP) at Wharton, Management Acceleration Program (MAP) at Duke and WBCSD at IMD and Yale.

2023 - Present:

Vice President - BioCircular Business SCG Cement

2022 - 2023:

Managing Director Cement Plant - Saraburi SCG Cement

2021 - 2022:

Chief Operating Officer SCG Cement

Dr. Shin Takemoto received a Ph.D. in Engineering from The University of Tokyo, specializing in chemistry. Prior to joining Kawasaki Heavy Industries, he held academic positions at Osaka Metropolitan University (formerly Osaka Prefecture University). He is currently engaged in the commercialization and business development of carbon capture technologies, including post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) and direct air capture (DAC). His work focuses on technology commercialization, demonstration projects, and international collaboration in the field of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).

April 1995:

Joined Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX); Accounting Section, Sapporo District Office

March 1998:

Corporate Planning Office

April 2008:

Senior Manager, Planning Office

June 2011:

Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy Dept.

August 2013:

Senior Manager, Existing Business Group, Business Development Dept., Asia & Oceania Project Division

April 2015:

Seconded to Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Co., Ltd.

July 2018:

Reinstated; General Manager, Corporate Strategy Dept.

June 2019:

General Manager, Corporate Strategy Dept.

April 2024:

Appointed Counselor; General Manager, Corporate Strategy Dept.

October 2024:

Counselor; Advisor to President of Corporate Strategy Division

April 2026:

Executive Officer; President of Japan Carbon Neutral Division

President, Professor, International University of Japan

Professor Emeritus of University of Tokyo (incumbent)

Professor Emeritus of Hitotsubashi University (incumbent)

Former Member of the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy, METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry)

Ph.D. in Economics

Mr. Tsukamoto is a mining engineer who has been keenly developing his capacity and knowledge while serving METI Japan for 33 years where he embarked on his professional career after graduating from Kyushu University. He had been engaging in policy formulation on quite a wide range of subjects from energy, industry to environment, including serving in MMAJ (now JOGMEC)’s Canberra Office. In 2010, he added a new dimension to his career of teaching at the University of Tokyo, Keio University, and Tokyo University of Science and by serving as a high-level advisor for a Japanese electronics company. It is natural that the continued focus of his interest is start-up business support, regional development, and support of manufacturing industries, in addition to advocacy of roles of key fuels in energy transition and innovative formulation of optimal fuel mix.

He took the current office in 2015 and has been in the position to date. During his tenure, the world has seen tremendous innovation of technologies, and the energy sector is not an exception. He is convinced JCOAL can sustain and further develop its values through working out energy transition related studies and projects for future carbon neutrality with innovative technologies and collaborative frameworks.

June 2024:

president Chairperson, Japan Carbon Frontier Organization (“JCOAL”)

June 2023:

present Chairman, Member of the Board of Directors

April 2019:

President and Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Board of Directors

June 2016:

President, Member of the Board of Directors

June 2013:

Executive Vice-President, Member of the Board of Directors

June 2010:

Executive Managing Director and Deputy Headquarters Director of Nuclear Power

June 2009:

Executive Managing Director, Member of the Board of Directors

June 2006:

Executive Director, Member of the Board of Directors

April 2004:

Director of Corporate Planning and Administration Dept.

April 2002:

Director, Corporate Planning Dept. & Office Director, Privatization and IPO Office

July 2000:

Director, Privatization and IPO Office, Corporate Planning Dept.

October 1993:

Manager, Planning Section, Corporate Planning Dept.

October 1991:

Manager, Nuclear Power Administration Office, Nuclear Power Dept.

April 1977:

Joined J-Power (Electric Power Development Co., Ltd., Japan, or EPDC)

April 2023:

Chairman & CEO, JOGMEC (Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security)

June 2020:

Vice Chairman, Member of the Board, Marubeni Corporation

June 2019:

Senior Executive Vice President, Member of the Board, Marubeni Corporation

June 2014:

Managing Executive Officer, Member of the Board, Marubeni Corporation

October 2013:

Joined Marubeni Corporation as Corporate Advisor

September 2011:

Commissioner, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (METI)

July 2010:

Commissioner, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (METI)

July 2009:

Director-General, Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

April 2004:

Director, Budget and Accounts Division, Minister's Secretariat (METI)

April 1979:

Joined METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

After receiving his doctorate at the Department of Production Mechanical Engineering of the Tokyo Institute of Technology (now: Tokyo Tech), in 1979, he worked as a visiting researcher at NBS of the U.S. Department of Commerce, an associate professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and a professor at the Graduate School of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. From 2007 until 2012, he was a professor at the Graduate School of Tokyo Institute of Technology and became honorary professor in 2012.

From 2006 he had been a member of Science Council of Japan and international advisory board member of GCEP in Stanford university in USA. His activity has been extended not only these representative active members but also convening lead author of 2nd & third reports of IPCC in UNEP. He received the best research fellow award from the minister of Education & Science in 2008. Academic papers are more than 500 & also he wrote more than 30 books.

In 2022, he was appointed as supreme Advisor of the Zero Carbon Energy Institute of the Green Transition Initiative at Tokyo Tech.

Since 2011, he has been the Chairman of the Cogeneration Foundation and has been appointed as Program Director of the Cabinet Office Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) in 2018. Currently, in addition to serving as chairman of the Energy Conservation and New Energy Subcommittee of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, he is a member of the Basic Policy Subcommittee and has been deeply involved in policy making through various other committees of the Cabinet Secretariat, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and the Ministry of the Environment. In 2017, he was the first Asian to receive The Georg Alefeld Memorial Award, the most prestigious international award in the field of energy and environment. His major publications include “Super Smart Energy Society 5.0”, “Smart Revolution”, “Energy Revolution”, and “Cogeneration Revolution” and so on.

July, 2024:

Executive Vice President, Member of the Board, Metals, JOGMEC

April, 2023:

Director General, Metals Development Department

July, 2020:

Director General, Metals Exploration Department

October, 2017:

Director, International Affairs Division, Metals Strategy Department

July, 2016:

Director, Planning Division, Metals Strategy Department

July, 2011:

General Manager, Botswana Geologic Remote Sensing Center

February, 2005:

Assistant General Manager, Sydney Office

April, 1990:

Joined Metal Mining Agency of Japan (JOGMEC integrated Japan National Oil Corporation and Metal Mining Agency of Japan in February, 2004)

Mr Mzila I. Mthenjane (“Mzila”) is the CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa (“MCSA”), the lobbying and Advocacy group whose members represent more than 90% of South Africa’s mineral output and employ close to 480 000 people. He was previously the Executive Head for Stakeholder Affairs at Exxaro Resources Limited. He has more than 30 years’ combined experience in the mineral resources business (Gold, Platinum and Coal) and investment banking (Corporate and Project Finance).

He has held various board positions as non-executive director in various entities including Pamodzi Gold Limited, Fraser Alexander, Impact Catalyst, Merafe Resources, and Student Support Programme. He was on the Exxaro Executive Committee, intimately involved in stakeholder engagements and strategy.

He is the current Chairman of the Board of the Impact Catalyst and is the former Chairman of the Wits University Mining Engineers Association (WUMEA) and the former President of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM).

Mr. Mthenjane holds a BSc degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). He has completed various leadership development training including the Senior Management Development Programme from the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT), the ABSIP Leadership Programme with GIBS and Advanced Management Programme (AMP), with INSEAD.

His leadership acumen has greatly benefited his current role, drawing on his experiences in building and retaining harmonious yet robust relationships with diverse stakeholder groupings, and developing successful sustainable impact approaches.

He has been in the role of CEO for 2 ½ years driving a shared vision of investment and growth for the mining industry and its positive impact to the South African economy. He also represents the Minerals Council on the Board of the Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa (MIASA), driving the agenda on positive regional development of the mining industry.

Education:

April, 1994-March, 1996

Master, Graduate School of Law and Political Science, Keio University.

Employment Record:

April, 1996-March, 2007

Research Fellow, Institute of Developing Economies-JETRO

Visiting Associate Professor, Tokyo University/Member of advisory body for Resources and Energy Agency, METI/Consultant, International Energy Agency (IEA)/Visiting Research Fellow, Asahi Asia Network (AAN), Asahi Press/Short Term Consultant of the World Bank/Expert on Energy Economics of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)/Visiting Research Fellow, Tsinghua University of P. R. China

David Lawson joined Austrade in 1997 as Trade Commissioner and Consul in Sendai, Japan where he was based until 2001. He then spent four years as Austrade’s Trade Commissioner (South Australia), in Adelaide.

From 2005 to 2009 David was the Australian Consul-General and Trade Commissioner in San Francisco and in 2010 undertook assignments in Austrade’s head office in Sydney, in Sapporo, Japan and as the APEC liaison in Yokohama in November 2010.

In 2011 David moved to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia where he was responsible for establishing the Australian Consulate-General in Mongolia. He served as the inaugural Australian Consul-General and Trade Commissioner in Mongolia in 2012 and was Austrade’s State Director NSW & ACT in 2013 and 2014.

In 2015 and 2016 David was the Trade Commissioner in Tokyo with responsibility for the Services, Defence, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing sectors, including biotechnology.

In 2017 David was appointed as the Consul-General at the Australian Consulate-General, Osaka and in that capacity, was also the Dean of the Kansai Consular Corps.

In Sydney from January 2021, David coordinated Austrade’s $43million Agribusiness Expansion Initiative and was also the National Manager for Austrade’s TradeStart program.

Prior to joining Austrade David spent nine years as an independent trade consultant in both Australia and Japan specializing in housing and construction and worked closely with Japanese mining interests in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Prior to setting up his business he worked for two years at the Australia-Japan Research Centre, ANU.

A graduate of Economics and Asian Studies at the Australian National University, David also holds a Master’s degree in Commercialization of Science and Technology from the University of Adelaide and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Darren has been a regionally based Senior Executive with the Queensland Government for over 15 years where he continues to work with communities, companies, landholders and stakeholders to shape, advocate for and resolve large scale and complex mining, petroleum and natural resource challenges.

He describes himself as being a strong advocate for regional Queensland while others say he is a leader of people, strategic and loves to tell a story to make his point.

1993:

Joined Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha

2011:

NYK LINE (North America) INC, Vice President

2020:

NYK General Manager of Steaming Coal Group

2023:

NYK General Manager of Fuel Solution Group (Reorganization)

2024:

NYK Executive Officer and General Manager of Fuel Solution Group

2026:

NYK Executive Officer

In 1996, he earned an M.S. in Applied Chemistry from Osaka University, where his master’s research focused on the chemical-structure analysis of brown coal.

After two years of training at a chemical plant of UBE Industries, he was transferred to Coal Laboratory of UBE Industries in 1998.

Since then, he has been engaged in coal characterization and utilization for 28 years, leading research and development aimed at improving analytical methods and practical applications of coal and related solid fuels.

In 2022, he transitioned to MUCC, which was established through the integration of the cement operations of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and UBE Industries, as a general manager of Coal Laboratory.

Jarad joined the Institute as Chief Executive Officer in October 2021, bringing with him over 20 years of international collaboration and leadership on clean energy and sustainable development. He has broad expertise in energy and deep experience in Carbon Capture and Storage, having worked with many countries, multilateral organisations, NGOs, and companies on technology development and deployment and government policy.

Prior to joining the Institute, Jarad led the Office of Strategic Planning, Analysis, and Engagement within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Carbon Management. Earlier responsibilities included managing research, development, and demonstration programs for advanced power systems and environmental stewardship. His professional experience includes life cycle analysis, process engineering and materials science.

Jarad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University and a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.

Apr. 1992 - Mar. 2007:

Toshiba Corporation: Research scientist, and Specialist Research and Development Center, and Power and Social Systems Technology Development Center Contributed researches: Research and development of new power generation systems, including Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells, Chemically Recuperated Gas Turbine, High-temperature CO2 capturing ceramics

Apr. 2007:

Waseda University: Associate Professor (tenure), P.E. Jp. Department of Modern Mechanical Engineering

Apr. 2012 - Present:

Waseda University: Professor Research theme: CCUS, Thermal energy transport and storage, Next-generation iron and steel making process, Solid oxide fuel cells

# Additional Appointments

Apr. 2021 - Present:

Director, The Institute of Applied Energy

Jun. 2024 - Present:

Specially Appointed Professor, Green Transformation Initiative at Tokyo Tech, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo

Davin Bagdonas is a Principal Research Professional in the Center for Economic Geology Research at the School of Energy Resources. Bagdonas has distinguished himself in his area of expertise related to coal and rare earth elements. Notably, he led initial efforts to stand up SER’s rare earth elements research programs, served previously as the principal investigator on a Department of Energy-funded Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Mineral (CORE-CM) project in the Greater Green River Wind River Basins, and has collaborated with experts across the United Staes to develop and apply new methods for assessment of unconventional rare earth element resources. He is currently the Principal Research Scientist at SER in the Minerals Program developing broad reaching opportunities between industry and researchers and serves as Co-Principial Investigator for both the Rocky Mountain and Interior Highlands CORE-CM programs.

Mr. Tsukamoto is a mining engineer who has been keenly developing his capacity and knowledge while serving METI Japan for 33 years where he embarked on his professional career after graduating from Kyushu University. He had been engaging in policy formulation on quite a wide range of subjects from energy, industry to environment, including serving in MMAJ (now JOGMEC)’s Canberra Office. In 2010, he added a new dimension to his career of teaching at the University of Tokyo, Keio University, and Tokyo University of Science and by serving as a high-level advisor for a Japanese electronics company. It is natural that the continued focus of his interest is start-up business support, regional development, and support of manufacturing industries, in addition to advocacy of roles of key fuels in energy transition and innovative formulation of optimal fuel mix.

He took the current office in 2015 and has been in the position to date. During his tenure, the world has seen tremendous innovation of technologies, and the energy sector is not an exception. He is convinced JCOAL can sustain and further develop its values through working out energy transition related studies and projects for future carbon neutrality with innovative technologies and collaborative frameworks.