CAG investigates Energy Policy Making in China, India and Japan

As the top three consumers of energy in Asia, China, India and Japan play an important role in the peace and prosperity of the region and the world. However, there has been a dearth of analyses on the trio’s energy policies in a comparative context. Under a new research initiative by the Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG), leading Chinese, Japanese and Indian experts will study the energy policies of the three countries, focusing particularly on the structure and process of energy policy making.

Beginning in October 2011, the one-year project will concentrate on two interrelated areas, the first being energy policy making structure and process.  CAG will identify the various actors (state and non-state), their interests and how they interact with one another in formulating policy in China, India and Japan. Secondly, the project will delve into the energy policies of the three powers, how they are being implemented, and their political and economic impact on the three countries’ development strategies.

A team of researchers from China, India and Japan has been established to study each country’s energy policies. Prof. Surya Sethi, former Principal Adviser (Power & Energy) of India’s Planning Commission and Chief Investment Officer of the International Finance Corporation, will head up research on India’s energy policy. Mr. Daisuke Asano, a veteran at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will spearhead research on Japan.  Professor Huang Jing will lead research on China’s energy policy.

Through this project, CAG hopes to forge connections with government agencies, policy experts and scholars in the energy field, with the ultimate aim of enhancing energy cooperation between the three countries.