**ISTANBUL**
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba commended International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol on Thursday for his leadership.
Ishiba’s comment came after he briefly met with Birol, said a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
“Prime Minister Ishiba said the IEA is the most authoritative international organization in the field of energy and commended Executive Director Birol's leadership in the energy sector, referring to the IEA's contributions to the G7 Hiroshima Summit two years ago,” the statement said.
He thanked Birol for his support of Japan's energy policy, including his visit to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.
Ishiba highlighted that cooperation with the IEA is becoming increasingly vital for Japan, which faces major challenges in achieving energy self-sufficiency, especially amid an unstable global energy security landscape.
He also stressed that the IEA's core mission is ensuring energy security and that Japan places great importance on the IEA's role.
“Executive Director Birol stated that nuclear power plays a crucial role in Japan's efforts to ensure a secure and affordable energy supply while simultaneously addressing climate change,” the statement added.
Birol further emphasized that energy security is central to the IEA's mission and expressed appreciation for Japan's ongoing support of the organization.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong and continued cooperation.
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