ON THE “GROUND” FROM
AROUND THE WORLD
Representative Office in Washington, D.C.
In "On the 'Ground' from Around the World," representatives working at JBIC's offices around the globe talk about their work and life in their respective countries. This issue features TSUJI Naoki, who is assigned to the JBIC Representative Office in Washington, D.C., U.S.
The White House is just a short distance from the office. "I can really feel that I am in the center of U.S. politics, with its major global impacts," comments TSUJI.
Representative
JBIC Representative Office
in Washington, D.C.
TSUJI Naoki
Joined JBIC in 2016. After handling sovereign credit assessments and power generation projects, he was seconded to the Ministry of Finance where he worked with MDBs such as the World Bank Group. Handled hydrogen-related businesses before assuming his current position in July 2024.
What kind of city is Washington, D.C.?
It is the center of U.S. politics, and our office is just a few minutes' walk from the White House. Because of global attention on what happens in Washington, D.C., I always feel that "I am working in a place where the headlines are made." It is also a city rich in international atmosphere, with the streets lined by global organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
What is the role of the Washington, D.C. office?
A key part of our work is maintaining relationships with the U.S. government, its agencies, members of Congress and their staff, as well as private companies located in Washington, D.C. Another is collecting and sharing information on U.S. government policies and geopolitical developments. In addition, state governments have a great deal of authority—much more than prefectural governments do in Japan—so we use the occasions of business trips to states like Louisiana, Ohio, and North Carolina, to strengthen our relationships with them.
We also have a representative office in New York, with which we collaborate on a daily basis, sharing information back and forth.
What are your main responsibilities?
I relay the views of federal governments and relevant stakeholders on various policies to our Tokyo head office and other offices. I often meet with contacts to gather useful information. It is difficult to get meetings if I have little to contribute to the conversation, so I make sure to have a lot of information about a wide range of topics at hand—from current affairs in Japan to global developments.
Are there any trends you are taking notice of?
I am closely watching the surge of AI-driven data center construction and their energy supply challenges. The Trump administration made a major shift away from the net-zero and clean energy policies of the previous Biden administration by increasing fossil fuel production, but with the midterm elections coming up this year, the outlook remains uncertain. While it is important to keep a close eye on these rapid, current short-term policy changes, it is essential not to lose sight of long-term trends.
What do you do on your days off?
Washington, D.C. has a relaxed and livable environment with lots of greenery. I enjoy playing with my daughters in the park, and hosting pizza parties at our place for my friends and their families.
What are your career plans?
As a policy-based financial institution, JBIC sits between government policy experts and private sector business experts. I would like to continue engaging in work that JBIC is uniquely positioned to do—connecting policy and business from a neutral position with access to both worlds.
Right: World Bank headquarters. TSUJI attends the IMF-World Bank annual meetings every fall.
Left: A pizza party with friends who have children around the same age.
