Naoki Takahashi is Chief Representative of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation(JBIC)’s Sydney Office where he is in charge of relationship management and research activities related to business opportunities for Japanese companies in areas such as hydrogen and renewables, critical minerals, and infrastructure in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island Countries.

JBIC is the policy-based financial institution wholly owned by the Japanese government which support Japanese business outside Japan and has numerous track record in Australia in financing for the development of energy and mineral resources such as LNG, iron ore, and coking coal.

His career in JBIC spans over 20 years across a wide range of roles including as the Director of Financing for Mining and Metals in charge of iron ore, copper and other battery minerals as well as senior positions in financing offshore oil and gas development (shipping and floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) systems).

He was also involved in drafting the Japanese Government’s “Infrastructure System Export Strategy” while on secondment to the Office of Cabinet Secretariat under the Abe Administration from 2013 to 2015.

He has a BA in Economics from Tohoku University and a Master in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University.