Koji Yamamoto

Koji Yamamoto is a Senior Councilor and the Chief Technology Officer at the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). He earned his Ph.D. from Tohoku University in 2004, specializing in acoustics, reservoir geomechanics, and numerical modeling. His career spans both the private consulting sector and government organizations, where he has led numerous R&D projects addressing challenges in petroleum field development. The Middle East is one of his key areas of interest, and he has been actively involved in various projects in the UAE and other countries in the region. More recently, Dr. Yamamoto has expanded his focus to include the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and low-carbon fuel initiatives, such as blue hydrogen and ammonia. He currently oversees teams engaged in several multinational and international collaborative projects. In addition to his professional work, Dr. Yamamoto lectures on technical subjects at Kyoto University and Kyushu University. He also serves as the Asia-Pacific Regional Director for the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 6 November

14:30

Hydrogen Conference ICC Hall B 14:30 - 15:30

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Asia’s role in defining the hydrogen market

Asia is emerging as a key player in the hydrogen economy, supported by significant investments in low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia technologies. China may need to import substantial quantities of hydrogen by 2030 due to high domestic demand but could conversely also achieve near self-sufficiency, or become an exporter, depending on its success in scaling low-carbon hydrogen production and resolving infrastructural challenges. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea could become major importers of hydrogen, driven by their high energy dependence and constraints in domestic renewable energy production. As Asian nations start to configure their hydrogen markets, the region provides a compelling case for the development of new technologies to produce lower cost hydrogen, as well as investments in a rapid expansion of enabling infrastructure for international hydrogen trade.

Attendee insights:

Gain insights into how Asian countries are positioning themselves within the global hydrogen economy, focusing on their advances in hydrogen production technologies and infrastructure, and the geopolitical implications of their evolving roles as both importers and exporters in the hydrogen market.