Ichiro TAKAHARA has currently served as Chairman & CEO, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, formerly known as Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) since April 2023. Prior to joining JOGMEC, he served as Vice Chairman, Member of the Board of Marubeni Corporation. He also spent a significant part of his career at Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) including Commissioner, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; Commissioner, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency; and Director General, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department. Under his direction, JOGMEC has further strengthened its focus on securing natural resources and energy towards a stable and sustainable energy society.