On May 19, three gentlemen from Akita Pref., together with our Mr. Iwaki, Project Director, took the stage and held a panel discussion on the theme of "offshore wind development from the perspective of local stakeholders" in the endowed courses at Akita International University supported by Mitsubishi Corporation, Venti Japan, Hokuto Bank and us. The participants from Akita were Mr. Hamano, Manager of Energy Industrial Policy Division of Noshiro City Government, Mr. Sato, Assistant Manager of Energy Policy Planning and Evaluation Division of Yurihonjo City Government, and Mr. Sasaki, an active fisherman and a member of Nishime branch of Fisheries Cooperative Association of Akita.
Mr. Hamano and Mr. Sato explained the local government's energy policy, the local expectations for the offshore wind project, and how to build a consensus with citizens. Mr. Sato also told about the issues confronting Akita's fishing industry, and the expectations for the coexistence of offshore wind  and fisheries, etc.. It was a good opportunity to learn from the local voices and the realities, and to deepen the understanding of Japan's energy policy and offshore wind development by.