Minister Akazawa Meets Vestas CEO and Akita Governor
Overview
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa exchanged views with Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki, and Hiroshi Matsuo, chair of the Nagasaki Ocean Industry Cluster Council, on building an industrial foundation for offshore wind power. They confirmed that the public and private sectors would work together to develop Japan’s offshore wind market and build its industrial foundation. Vestas, Akita Prefecture, and the council also signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint feasibility study aimed at establishing a foundation for workforce development. The study will examine the domestic rollout of an internationally recognized wind power training program, its operating structure, and the functions and capabilities needed for implementation.
Key points
- Minister Akazawa and others met to discuss building an industrial foundation for offshore wind power.
- They confirmed that the public and private sectors would work together to develop Japan’s offshore wind market and build its industrial foundation.
- Vestas, Akita Prefecture, and the Nagasaki Ocean Industry Cluster Council signed an MOU for a joint study on a workforce development foundation.
- The study will examine the potential for domestic rollout of an internationally recognized wind power training program, among other matters.
Overview
On October 29, 2026, Minister Akazawa met with Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki, and Hiroshi Matsuo, chair of the Nagasaki Ocean Industry Cluster Council. They exchanged views on building an industrial foundation for offshore wind power, including the development of a supply chain and a foundation for workforce development.
Impact
At the meeting, they confirmed that the public and private sectors would work together to develop Japan’s offshore wind market and build its industrial foundation.
Details
In the presence of Minister Akazawa, Vestas, Akita Prefecture, and the Nagasaki Ocean Industry Cluster Council signed an MOU for a joint feasibility study aimed at establishing a foundation for workforce development to support Japan’s wind power industry. The study will assess the feasibility of introducing an internationally recognized wind power training program domestically. It will also examine the operating structure and the functions and capabilities needed for implementation.