Environmental Defense Fund appoints new Japan Region Chief

NEW YORK — Environmental Defense Fund today announced that Masako Konishi has joined EDF in early September as Japan Region Chief, based in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the effort to further strengthen the nonprofit’s capacities around the world.

As the new Japan Region Chief, Konishi will serve as EDF’s principal representative in the country, leading the organization’s work on both energy transition and climate resilient fisheries & oceans priorities.

Under Konishi’s leadership, EDF will build on a decade of work in Japan collaborating with policymakers, industry, finance, and research institutions to support the country’s energy transition and decarbonization efforts. In fisheries and oceans, EDF works with fishers, fishing communities, scientists, and policymakers to strengthen the resilience of fisheries and marine resources to climate change, with the goal of supporting livelihoods, the vitality of coastal communities, and the health of the ocean ecosystems upon which they depend.  

Konishi brings extensive experience in climate policy, public leadership, and stakeholder engagement. She has participated in United Nations climate negotiations since 2005, including work related to the Paris Agreement, and currently serves on several Japanese government advisory bodies focused on climate and environmental policy. She also brings deep expertise in market-based climate mechanisms, having been actively engaged in the development of Japan’s Green Transformation Emissions Trading System (GX-ETS). Most recently, she served as Director of Climate & Energy at World Wildlife Fund Japan, where she played a leading role in climate and energy policy discussions in Japan and internationally.

As a member of EDF’s senior leadership team, Konishi will also help shape organizational strategy and strengthen collaboration across EDF’s programs, regions, and impact areas.

“Masako brings an exceptional combination of expertise” said Angela Churie Kallhauge, Executive Vice President, Impact, at EDF.  “Her experience leading climate and energy policy work, combined with her deep knowledge of market mechanism to translate climate policy to action in Japan and internationally, will be invaluable as we strengthen EDF’s work and partnerships in Japan.”

“I am excited to join EDF and work with colleagues and partners in Japan and across the region,” said Konishi. “Japan has an important role to play in advancing the energy transition and addressing climate change, and I look forward to bringing together policymakers, industry, researchers and communities to help develop practical solutions that deliver energy security sustainably.”