Chairman of Institute of Energy Economics, Japan to Keynote Platts Top 250

SINGAPORE, Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The keynote speaker at this year's unveiling of the Platts Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings™ in Singapore on October 28 will be the chairman and CEO of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), Mr. Masakazu Toyoda.

The keynote address will precede the unveiling of the 13th annual rankings of energy companies – the Platts Top 250 – which includes publicly traded companies with assets greater than U.S. $5 billion and reflects the financial performance of fiscal year 2013. The rankings are based on a combination of asset worth, revenues, profits and return on invested capital. The roster also ranks companies by industry sector and region, and names the 50 fastest-growing companies.

"The global energy markets continue to face increasingly unpredictable or very complicated situations. The change in paradigms for the global energy systems is challenging the industry to adjust its efficiency and robustness; it is also challenging the industry to improve its ability to develop better long-term insights," said Mr. Toyoda. "I look forward to sharing the experience of Japanese enterprises and my thoughts on how we can contribute to the development of a path towards more economical, safer and cleaner energy markets – one that would benefit the generations to come."

Mr. Toyoda has been the chairman and CEO for the Tokyo-based institute since July 2010. IEEJ was established in June 1966 as a think-tank focusing on Asian energy-related topics and global environmental issues.

Apart from leading the IEEJ, Mr. Toyoda also serves as a board member for organizations such as the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) international advisory board; Oxford Institute for Energy Studies; Pacific International Center for High Technology Center; and Brunei National Energy Research Institute (BNERI) international advisory board.

Prior to joining the IEEJ, Mr. Toyoda held respected positions at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), where he served as the Director-General for various divisions. He was appointed the vice-minister for International Affairs in July 2007. He later became Special Advisor to the Cabinet on Asian Economy and Climate Change. A Japanese national, Mr. Toyoda holds a Master's degree in Public Affairs (MPA) from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs; and a law degree from the University of Tokyo. See his full biography here.

According to recent IEEJ reports on oil and gas outlooks, global demand is projected to steadily increase as the world economy continues to grow at a stable annual rate above 3.5% through 2015. However, the reports note that geopolitical risks remain a key – but uncertain – factor in the outlook for both energy sources. The Islamic State incursion in the Middle East may affect oil supplies, while an escalation of Russian-Ukrainian tensions may impact European gas supplies.

"We are pleased Mr. Toyoda will be our keynote speaker at a time when we are seeing strong growth in the Asian energy markets," said Murray Fisher, senior manager of strategic media at Platts, a leading global energy, petrochemical and metals information provider. "We look forward to the insights and perspectives that Mr. Toyoda will bring with his expertise in cross-border energy and environmental issues in his capacity as a former Japanese government official and current board member of various international think-tanks."

Hundreds of executives representing all facets of the energy industry are expected to attend the Platts Top 250 Asia Awards Dinner for the unveiling of the 13th annual Platts Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings. The event will also honor an energy executive from the Asia-Pacific region for exemplary leadership, bestowing upon him or her Asia CEO of the Year title. The selection will be made by an independent judging panel and will automatically place the individual among the nominees for Energy Company of the Year honors in New York in December at the Platts Global Energy Awards.

Attendance at the 2014 Platts Top 250 Asia Awards Dinner, which is once again being held in conjunction with the Singapore International Energy Week, is open to all companies with business interests in Asia and to energy companies worldwide. Accredited media may attend as Platts' guests with advanced registration. Television cameras are welcome. Sponsorships are still available at this link.

The Platts Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings are based on data compiled and maintained by S&P Capital IQ, which, like Platts, is a unit of McGraw Hill Financial. For more information on the Rankings, visit http://top250.platts.com/Methodology.

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets.  Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency.  Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the biofuels, carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, shipping and sugar markets.  A division of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), Platts is based in London with more than 1000 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.

About McGraw Hill Financial: McGraw Hill Financial is a leading financial intelligence company providing the global capital and commodity markets with independent benchmarks, credit ratings, portfolio and enterprise risk solutions, and analytics. The Company's iconic brands include Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, CRISIL, J.D. Power and McGraw Hill Construction. The Company has approximately 18,000 employees in 30 countries. Additional information is available at www.mhfi.com.

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SOURCE Platts