According to Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda, Japan intends to encourage India to accelerate the switch to clean energy by expanding a programme it started with Southeast Asian countries last year.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was one of the initial targets of Japan’s Asia Energy Transition Initiative, which included $10 billion in financing for projects using renewable energy, energy efficiency, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Hagiuda stated during the Sydney Energy Forum, which was co-hosted by the Australian government and the International Energy Agency, that special assistance adds support for ASEAN countries in the Asian pathway toward decarbonisation, which will be broadened to include India.
Given the continued energy crisis brought on by the loss of Russian gas supplies, according to Hagiuda, the area needs to start working on diversifying its energy sources.
In light of the current energy crisis, Hagiuda stated that a steady energy supply and economic stability are crucial as the foundation for encouraging a shift towards decarbonisation. For that, one must work to increase national energy independence through initiatives including a stronger push for supply diversity of energy sources. Hagiuda stated that he would persuade the United States and Australia to increase LNG output and secure supplies to Japan before his trip to Sydney for discussions with Quad allies Australia, India, and the United States.