Japanese investment in the US energy sector – BDA Partners, DBJ, Norton Rose Fulbright

BDA Partners hosted a panel discussion and networking reception for senior energy sector executives, in New York on 10^th September, alongside Development Bank of Japan, and Norton Rose Fulbright.

We connected leading Japanese corporates across the value chain, from oil and gas energy, energy services, and renewables, with counterparts in the US. We’re focused on the surge of outbound investment interest from Japan.

We convened the most ambitious investors and US industry players. The agenda focused on the impact of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ (OBBBA) on energy investment in the US.

The conference featured a welcome address by Shingo Kobayashi, Managing Executive Officer of DBJ, and a keynote speech by Todd Alexander, Partner at NRF, on the implications of OBBBA for the US energy sector. We followed with panel discussions, moderated by Euan Rellie of BDA and Paul Sankey of Sankey Research, addressing renewable energy and oil & gas investment trends.

Senior representatives attended from: Aggreko, AIP, Captona, CFS Energy, Chevron, Chugoku Electric, Eneos Power, Excelsior Energy Capital, Fuyo General Lease, Generate Capital, Gevo, Harbert, Hess Corp, HOG Resources, Idemitsu Kosan, Invenergy, JAPEX, Jetro, Kansai Electric, KDB, Kingston Capital, Kyuden International, Marubeni, MicroEra Power, Mitsubishi, MOL Americas, NRG Transition, Nano Nuclear, Nishimatsu, Northern Star Generation, Osaka Gas, Primergy Solar, RWE Clean Energy, Sankey Research, Shizuoka Gas, Sionic Energy, Silverpeak, TEPCO, and Tokyo Electric.

Key takeaways include:

1. The future of energy will not be defined by renewables or oil & gas alone, but by a pragmatic mix of both, highlighting the need for flexible investment strategies to balance sustainability with energy security and economic viability
2. Japanese appetite for US energy is driven by confidence in US demand and market resilience, rather than short-term policy catalysts like OBBBA, signalling a long-term commitment to the sector
3. Japan’s energy companies are looking abroad, reflecting demographics, limited domestic growth, and the need to secure stable, diversified energy supplies
4. Japanese investors are highly sought-after partners, valued for their patience, flexibility, and reliability. They are increasingly aligning with US deal timelines and valuations, while offering long term capital and a collaborative strategic approach

Euan Rellie, Managing Partner, BDA Partners, said: “This event was a big success. BDA, DBJ and Norton Rose have resolved to make it an annual conference, going forward. We’re already working on multiple potential transactions as a result of these conversations in New York.  I’m grateful to everyone who participated, and excited for what’s to come”.

---

About BDA

BDA Partners is the global investment banking advisor. We are a premium provider of Asia-related advice to sophisticated clients globally, with 30 years’ experience advising on cross-border M&A, capital raising, and financial restructuring. We provide global reach with our teams in New York and London, and true regional depth through our seven Asian offices in Mumbai, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo. BDA has deep expertise in the Chemicals, Consumer & Retail, Health, Industrials, Services, Sustainability and Technology sectors. We work relentlessly to earn our clients’ trust by delivering insightful advice and outstanding outcomes. BDA Partners has strategic partnerships with William Blair, a premier global investment banking business, and with DBJ (Development Bank of Japan), a Japanese government-owned bank with US$150bn of assets.

US securities transactions are performed by BDA Partners’ affiliate, BDA Advisors Inc, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BDA Advisors Inc. is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and SIPC. In the UK, BDA Partners is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In Hong Kong, BDA Partners (HK) Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) to conduct Type 1 and Type 4 regulated activities to professional investors. www.bdapartners.com