Director-General for GX Promotion/Director-General, GX Policy Group

ITO Sadanori

Mr. Ito joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in 1994 after graduating from the University of Tokyo. At METI, he engaged in a series of Japan-U.S. bilateral trade negotiations and in policies for the automobile industry and for AI and semiconductors, and also worked as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. He then served as the Director of Industrial Research at JETRO New York and Director of the Personnel Division, Minister’s Secretariat. Most recently, he served as Executive Assistant to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Director-General, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department.

When working at JETRO New York, Mr. Ito cultivated a network of connections with key personnel inside and outside the first Trump Administration and reported to Tokyo about developments in the U.S., including its withdrawal from the TPP and the Paris Agreement. After the transition of power to the Biden Administration, he reported to METI about the latest trends in the U.S. with regard to economic security, supply chain resilience and other issues. After returning to Japan, he took charge of personnel affairs for the entire Ministry, including for high-ranking officials, as Director of the Personnel Division, Minister’s Secretariat. Subsequently, as Executive Assistant to Prime Minister Kishida, Mr. Ito was deeply involved in the launch of the Green Transformation (GX) concept and promoted GX and energy policies through the newly established GX Implementation Council, while coordinating the implementation of AI- and semiconductor-related policies. He also supported the Prime Minister’s various diplomatic activities with other leaders, including the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and worked for the reconstruction measures for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

After completing his tasks at the Prime Minister’s office, Mr. Ito engaged in renewable energy policies and hydrogen- and ammonia-related policies as Director-General of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department. He assumed his current position of Director-General, GX Policy Group, in July 2025.

Mr. Ito graduated from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law. He also obtained an LL.M. degree from Columbia Law School, passed the New York State Bar Exam, and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Mr. Ito was born in Tokyo on September 17, 1971.