Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador meets with energy leaders from Marubeni, JPS

(KINGSTON, Jamaica — May 6, 2026) Japan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Kohei Maruyama, on Friday engaged in high-level discussions with senior representatives of Marubeni Corporation and JPS, aimed at strengthening ties between the embassy and various leaders in the energy space.

Ambassador Maruyama, has been undertaking a series of introductory meetings with key stakeholders across the island. His engagement with Marubeni officials and JPS leadership underscores the importance of Japan’s longstanding involvement in Jamaica’s energy sector, particularly through Marubeni Power International’s stake in the local utility.

Discussions during the visit focused on shared priorities around energy security, infrastructure development, and the continued modernization of Jamaica’s electricity system. The engagement also highlighted the role of international partnerships in supporting long-term investment and the transition to more sustainable energy solutions.

Senior Vice President of Marubeni and Chairman of the JPS Board, Damian Obiglio, welcomed the Ambassador and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Jamaica’s energy future.

“The relationship between Japan and Jamaica continues to be strengthened through collaboration in critical sectors such as energy. We value the opportunity to engage at this level as we look toward a resilient and sustainable path forward,” Obiglio said.

As part of the visit, the Ambassador and his delegation toured JPS’ System Operations facility, where they were given an overview of grid management and the technologies used to maintain stability and respond to customer demand. The delegation also visited the 190-megawatt liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant – South Jamaica Power Company (SJPC) –  a key generation asset, to gain insight into its operations and contribution to the national grid.

The visit reflects continued dialogue between Japanese stakeholders and local energy leaders, reinforcing a shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and long-term energy development in Jamaica.