Exploring the Prospects and Challenges of Offshore Wind in Japan — WFO Conference Held in Tokyo

2025/07/25

On July 2–3, 2025, the World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO) hosted an international conference in Tokyo, gathering key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in Japan and abroad. The event focused on a broad range of critical topics—including policy trends, commercialization requirements, financing, technology, and safety—with particular attention given to floating offshore wind. Practical, solution-oriented discussions unfolded throughout the two-day program.

The first day opened with a keynote speech by Mr. Noriyoshi Fukuoka, Director of the Wind Power Project Promotion Office at the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. This was followed by a panel discussion on financial performance in the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase. Experts from the insurance, finance, and analytics sectors shared insights on strategies to enhance long-term cost efficiency and mitigate operational risks.

Subsequent sessions addressed global supply-demand trends in the offshore wind supply chain, wake effects and associated legal considerations between wind farms, and showcased floating wind projects in Japan, France, and the Mediterranean region. Additionally, a presentation by Japan Airlines on its safety culture set the stage for a panel discussion on health, safety, and environment (HSE) issues, focusing on how to ensure workforce safety amid an expanding offshore wind market.

The second day centered around the commercialization of floating offshore wind. Representatives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), financial institutions, developers, and technology providers shared practical challenges and future directions. Discussions on offtake strategies—including Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs)—site data utilization, and project risk evaluation offered highly relevant, actionable insights for industry professionals.

Afternoon sessions highlighted Japan’s domestic technology development initiatives by the FLOWRA consortium, updates on international joint research from the Carbon Trust, and a case study on Portugal’s policy-driven innovation in offshore wind. The final panel emphasized the importance of local content and regional collaboration, outlining a path toward strengthening Japan’s offshore wind supply chain.

This forum served as a valuable platform for cross-sectoral information exchange and collaboration. It marked a significant step forward in advancing Japan’s offshore wind industry toward sustainable growth, with lessons and momentum that may also benefit the broader Asia-Pacific region.

This content was published on WindTAIWAN and is shared in collaboration with ENERGYNIPPON.