Governor Abbott Meets With JERA Executives In Tokyo, Japan
Governor Greg Abbott today met with Japan's Energy for a New Era (JERA) executives in Tokyo to discuss the prosperous partnership between JERA and Texas. The meeting specifically focused on the growing liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. The meeting is part of Governor Abbott’s week-long economic development trip to Asia. A readout and photo of the meeting can be found below:
The meeting began by discussing the important connection JERA has with the Lone Star State, and the progress they are making to provide cutting edge energy-related technology. Executives from JERA then discussed their efforts to develop more efficient LNG infrastructure. Governor Abbott explained that LNG is a key part of the future of Texas businesses and highlighted the importance of LNG exports to the Texas economy. Governor Abbott concluded the meeting by saying Texas' goal is to assist JERA with its Texas operations, and to make it easier for them to do business.
Toshihiro Sano was named Chairman of JERA in April of 2019. Sano was previously Director of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. and President of TEPCO Fuel & Power, Inc. Sano joined Tokyo Electric Power in April 1977 and worked in various capacities in the Thermal Power Department before being named Executive Managing Director, General Manager of the Technical Development Division in 2011.
Satoshi Onoda became the President of JERA in April of 2019. He previously served as the Executive Vice President for Chubu Electric and President of Power Generation Company from June 2018 to March 2019. Onoda also served as the Managing Executive Officer, Executive Officer, and General Manager for Chubu Electric.
Japan's Energy for a New Era is a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power and Chubu Electric Power, and is the world's top buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG). JERA helps to solve the energy issues facing the country through its global operations, and seeks to establish new energy supply models for Japan while also offering energy supply models established in Japan to other countries. The company’s Japanese headquarters are located in Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The regional headquarters for JERA Americas is located in Houston and the company is also involved in the Freeport LNG project near Freeport.