Our delegation included:
Indigenous Leaders
- Sharleen Gale, Chair, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
- Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
- Stephen Buffalo, Chairman, Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
Industry Participants
- Charlotte Raggett, President, Rockies LNG
- Kristen Lewicki, CLO, Rockies LNG
- Shannon Watt, President & CEO, Canadian Propane Association
Energy for a Secure Future
- Shannon Joseph, Chair
- Harshivam Bawa, Manager, Public Affairs
- Julie Gaudreau, Consultant
Our message: Canada has what the world needs, Indigenous-industry partnerships in LNG are a new foundation for success, and we are ready to deliver for Asia.
Canada’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) value proposition is about more than supply. It’s about partnerships built on shared values of security, affordability, reconciliation and emissions reduction. It builds on Canada’s lessons as a propane supplier to Asia – going from almost no exports to being a major supplier. It positions Canada as a key partner for countries transitioning away from high-emission energy sources like coal, replacing it with Canadian propane, natural gas, and soon ammonia.
What we heard in Japan
During the mission, ESF met with the Japan Gas Association, the Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ), and visited JERA’s Futtsu LNG terminal, which provides electricity to 20 million people in the Tokyo region. These conversations emphasized Japan’s energy priorities: ensuring energy security, reducing emissions and securing diverse suppliers. There was clear interest in working with Canada for the long-term.
And they’re watching Canada’s potential as an energy supplier, closely. Japan’s 7th Basic Energy Plan, which was released right before our arrival, makes clear that LNG will remain an important pillar in Japan’s approach to energy security and to reducing emissions from the electricity sector. JERA is already looking forward to receiving Canadian LNG shipments, starting as early as summer 2025.
Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and CEO, IEEJ, emphasized. “Japan’s energy foresees significant increases in electricity demand for AI and other applications. LNG will play an important role in meeting this demand and supporting renewables integration.”
We also met with the Japan LP Gas Association, Clean Fuels Ammonia Association, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of Japan.
In many of these stakeholder meetings we were pleased to be joined by the Honourable Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta. Who spoke to the province’s energy trade ambitions. A sincere thanks to the Minister from our whole group!
Hearing from the Government of Japan
ESF was had the honour of meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry. In these meetings, we learned some critical things:
- Having diverse suppliers in important to Japan – they may buy more from countries like Qatar or the United States, but Canadian LNG is still seen as important.
- Canada has advantages an exporter to Asia – our energy is not impacted by trade bottlenecks, particularly in the Panama Canal.
- Japan appreciates the work of Indigenous peoples, alongside business to build certainty for the world and they are ready to collaborate.
Indigenous leadership and reconciliation through trade
Sharleen Gale, Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, Stephen Buffalo, Chair of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, and Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance lead organizations that represent First Nations at the forefront of energy in Canada. They delivered a powerful message: First Nations are not only open to energy projects, they helping to lead them and they are ready to deliver energy solutions to the world.
“Throughout this mission I have learned that energy, environment, and the economy matter to Japan, just like they matter to our people. Seeing the full energy value chain and understanding where our resources go is amazing.” Sharleen Gale, Chair, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
The partnerships in projects like Cedar LNG, Coastal Gas Link Pipeline and Ksi Lisims LNG represent real opportunities to bring prosperity to Indigenous communities through ownership, training and employment, and meaningful collaboration. Energy development is increasingly a vehicle for reconciliation.
Canada-Japan Energy Partnership Forum
A highlight of ESF’s mission to Japan was the Canada-Japan Energy Partnership forum. ESF hosted three panels at the Embassy of Canada to Japan: Partnership: the energy catalyst; Government perspectives on energy partnership; The environmental potential of Japan-Canada energy partnership.
“Energy security, the environment, and economic growth all go hand in hand. There is a huge opportunity for Canada to meet Asia’s growing demand for energy while supporting climate goals.” Shannon Watt, President and CEO, Canadian Propane Association.
The dialogue between Minister Rebecca Schulz and Yuya Hasegawa, Director for Energy Resources Development Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), was a highlight of the event showcasing the coming together of ambition and understanding between governments.
The Forum ended with a reception at the residence of Canada’s Ambassador to Japan. Stephen Buffalo, of Indian Resource Council delivered the “Kampai” to kick off the event.
ESF, FNLNGA, IEEJ Memorandum of Understanding
During the Forum, a moment was taken to hold a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Energy for a Secure Future, the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance and the Institute of Energy Economics Japan.
The MOU commits the three organizations to continuing collaborating to support energy partnership between Canada and Japan, including sharing data on the environmental benefits delivered through LNG trade.
Looking ahead
As ESF and our partners return to Canada our main reflection is how to continue to advance the momentum we have seen on this trip. Some of the important things heard and that will inform our work include:
- The importance of coordination across governments to present a unified and efficient front to international partners,
- Canada must focus on delivering on timelines so that countries like Japan can count on us,
- We must see ourselves a Pacific nation with a role to play in helping to deliver energy and security to the Indo-Pacific region.
Energy for a Secure Future is grateful to all the leaders we met in Japan and remain committed to the ongoing work of helping Canada deliver on energy security.
