Climate Controversy: Japan's 2035 Emissions Target Faces Push-Back
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 12/10/2024 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 133 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which has been curating Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 370 subscribers [ more than 2,630 on Linedin]. You can subscribe by clicking on the Linkedin page or the form below.
I hope you find the articles below beneficial for reading (or skimming)!
Found this week's news insights valuable? Please give it a quick "like" or "share" on LinkedIn – you never know who else in your network might benefit from staying in the loop on Japan's climate scene🙂🙇
*Disclaimer: Generative AI tools such as Claude Sonet 3.5 has been used for summary and translation assistance 🙂
[🇯🇵📰👀Japan Climate News Headlines]
【1】As Japan nears new climate goal, criticism of policy process ramps up [12/10 The Japan Times]
Japan’s proposed 60% emissions reduction target by 2035 has sparked criticism for its ambition and how policymaking committees are formed and operate. Businesses think tanks, and civil groups argue that the panels, spanning multiple ministries and agencies, favor traditional energy interests, discouraging genuinely open debate.
Instances, where experts were prevented from sharing more ambitious proposals, highlight a seemingly predetermined agenda. While the government insists on the committees’ balance, critics say vested interests dominate, leaving little room for renewable energy voices, youth perspectives, and climate-affected communities. With rapid decision-making and minimal input, many doubt the process’s fairness.
【2】Are committee members’ opinions and scientific evidence being disregarded? - Does a predetermined scenario dictate discussions on greenhouse gas targets? [12/9 Mainichi Newspaper]
Japan’s proposed greenhouse gas reduction targets, intended as a foundation for the country’s climate strategy, are facing intense criticism.
Experts and committee members argue that the government pushes a predetermined scenario, limiting genuine debate.
Critics say the proposed 2035 target—a 60% cut from 2013 levels—falls short of the 66% reduction needed to align with the 1.5°C goal and lacks scientific credibility.
Voices from civil society and businesses call for higher, more ambitious targets of at least 75%, emphasizing that decarbonization leadership is crucial for Japan’s global competitiveness and credibility. Many feel their expert input has been overlooked or dismissed.
【3】Draft of the new Basic Energy Plan revealed nuclear at around 20% and renewables at 40–50% [12/10 The Asahi Shimbun]
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is finalizing a new national energy strategy that targets 20% nuclear power and 40–50% renewables like solar and wind by 2040.
Nuclear restarts and replacements are lagging, and suitable locations for new renewable facilities are limited, resulting in lower-than-expected shares to date.
Both nuclear and renewables will be considered “decarbonized power,” supported by investments and policy measures.
Some fossil fuel generation will remain, provided carbon capture, storage, and hydrogen or ammonia co-firing are introduced.
Unlike plans with fixed numerical targets, this new framework presents broader ranges due to uncertain future demand and technological progress.
【4】Mainstreaming Renewable Energy in Japan [12/10 Climate Integrate]
The government has declared a policy of making renewable energy a major power source. What would be the impacts and significance of a significant push for using renewable energy? This report summarizes the merits of expanding renewable energy and the benefits of mainstreaming renewable energy.
【5】Japan’s plan for net zero increasingly rests on a big hydrogen bet [12/9 Cipher News]
Japan’s net-zero strategy hinges on hydrogen, aiming to transition existing coal and gas power plants to low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia while expanding renewables and nuclear energy.
Critics argue that hydrogen is expensive, inefficient, and technologically challenging compared to renewables like solar and wind.
Advocates see hydrogen as a practical solution for Asia’s fossil-fuel-dependent economies, requiring extensive investment in infrastructure, subsidies, and carbon capture.
Japan targets a 60% emissions reduction by 2035 but faces significant hurdles in scaling a global hydrogen market and addressing domestic renewable potential.
Debate continues between hydrogen backers and proponents of renewable energy expansion.
【6】Japan to start CO2 storage exploratory drilling in 2025 - Government to offer subsidies to spur private investment [12/8 Nikkei Asia]
Japan will commence exploratory drilling for CO2 storage in 2025. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will provide subsidies and select candidate sites by March, targeting five strategic locations across the country.
Major corporations, including Idemitsu Kosan, Itochu, Tohoku Electric Power, Nippon Steel, and Enos, are leading projects in different regions, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, with an estimated cost of 10 billion yen per drilling operation.
The government has allocated 32 billion yen in the fiscal 2024 supplementary budget to support the initiative. To accelerate private sector investment in carbon storage infrastructure, Japan plans two drilling locations per site.
Japan aims to begin commercial carbon storage operations by fiscal 2030, store 1% of annual domestic emissions by 2030, and increase this to 10-20% by 2050.
【7】BP moves offshore wind business into joint venture with Japan’s Jera - British major is pulling back from renewables to refocus on oil and gas [12/9 Financial Times]
BP and Jera’s offshore wind joint venture exemplifies the industry’s pivot away from direct renewable ownership amid cost pressures, signaling a renewed focus on oil and gas.
BP and Jera form a 50/50 joint venture, consolidating all BP’s offshore wind assets.
Jera Nex bp integrates Jera’s 1GW of operating farms with BP’s 13GW pipeline.
BP invests up to $3.25bn and Jera $2.55bn, aiming for a top-five global wind developer.
This reflects BP’s strategic shift to oil and gas, moving away from direct renewable ownership.
Mirrors Shell’s retreat amid rising costs, inflation, and challenging returns.
【8】Nuclear reactor in western Japan restarted for the first time since 2012 - Plant in Shimane's capital aims to resume operations after meeting post-Fukushima requirements [12/7 Nikkei Asia]
Chugoku Electric Power Co. restarted its No. 2 reactor at the Shimane nuclear plant in Matsue on December 7, 2024, marking the first operation since 2012.
The plant, uniquely situated in a prefectural capital, met post-Fukushima safety requirements and aims to resume commercial operations by early January.
The boiling water reactor, similar to those at Fukushima Daiichi, is only the second to restart in Japan.
Despite local concerns about safety and evacuation plans for the 450,000 residents within 30 kilometers, legal attempts to block the restart were rejected.
【9】Toyota vows to move ahead with $13.9bn battery plant in North Carolina - Trump’s criticism of EV incentives casts a cloud over the largest US investment in clean tech by any foreign automaker [12/10 Financial Times]
Despite political uncertainties, Toyota's massive $13.9B battery plant investment in North Carolina demonstrates its long-term commitment to US electrification.
The project represents the largest foreign automaker EV investment in US history and strengthens growing Japanese-American business ties in the region.
【10】Cool job: Japan neck AC chills workers by 20 C as global temps rise - Fujitsu General targets construction and factory crew with wearable device [12/6 Nikkei Asia]
Fujitsu General’s new 300g neck-worn device cools up to 20°C below ambient temperature and can warm to about 40°C.
It targets construction and factory workers facing intense heat due to global warming.
Launching in Japan next year at about ¥60,000, the upgraded model aims to sell 200,000 units by fiscal 2027; international expansion is under review.
The upgraded model is about 40% lighter than the older version and uses embedded heatsinks and liquid cooling for efficient temperature control.
With 70% of the global workforce exposed to excessive heat (ILO data), such devices could reduce heat-related productivity losses projected by 2030.
📬That's all for this week! Thank you for reading(or skimming) 🙇. I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!
Found this week's news insights valuable? Please give it a quick "like" or "share" on LinkedIn – you never know who else in your network might benefit from staying in the loop on Japan's climate scene🙂🙇
The "Climate Curation" newsletter in 🇯🇵Japanese (every Saturday) is available on Linkedin and Substack.
Please feel free to contact me via email: hiroyasu.ichikawa [@]socialcompany.org, f you have any research/consulting needs for your business or just for a coffee chat☕.
My personal Twitter(X) account (in 🇯🇵Japanese) @SocialCompany
BlueSky account(English): socialcompany.bsky.social]
ichi (Hiroyasu Ichikawa)