🏭 Energy Transition vs. Tariffs: Japan Navigates Global Economic Pressures
Japanese activists employ a two-step strategy for corporate climate disclosures. Despite high awareness, only 33.6% of Japanese consumers take climate action.
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 4/16/2025 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 149 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which has been curating hand-picked Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 440 subscribers [ more than 2,780 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 🙂
【Digest of this week's topics】
This week highlights Japan's evolving climate initiatives amid economic adaptations. The Osaka Expo opens with questions about its relevance in today's digital world. Japanese activists employ a two-step strategy for corporate climate disclosures, targeting major companies with binding resolutions. Despite high awareness, only 33.6% of Japanese consumers take climate action. JERA and Mitsui advanced the energy transition with a $4 billion US ammonia plant, while Nissan adjusted production to respond to Trump's tariffs. Tokyo's upcoming solar panel mandate aims to increase renewables, though careful implementation is needed. Significantly, Japan's defense policy now formally recognizes climate change as a security concern.
[🇯🇵📰👀Japan Climate News Headlines]
【1】🏯 Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out. [04/11 The Japan Times]
The 2025 World Expo opened on April 13 in Osaka's Yumeshima island. It features over 160 countries under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." Despite the 1970 Osaka Expo's introduction of wireless phones and moving walkways, the current event lacks clear highlights. With costs ballooning to ¥760 billion, experts emphasize the expo's role as a platform for international dialogue and peace, though its relevance is questioned in an age of virtual connection.
【2】📺🔬 Future innovations on display at Osaka Expo [04/14 NHK World]
The Osaka Expo highlights innovations for the future, including some that may save lives.
【3】📊 Japanese activists roll out a new strategy [04/14 Financial Times]
Japanese environmental activists have adopted a two-step approach to climate disclosures. They initially proposed non-binding advisory resolutions to major companies, including megabanks and trading houses. After all seven companies rejected these proposals, activists responded with legally binding resolutions. The tactic aims to prime investors to support the binding climate disclosure proposals at June's AGMs, hoping to exceed last year's 20-25% support rate.
【4】🗳️Seven companies in the Tokyo Prime Market face climate votes, even after rejecting advisory resolutions from climate groups [04/15 Asia Shareholder Action]
A coalition of environmental organizations and shareholders has filed climate-related resolutions targeting major Japanese banks, trading houses, and Chubu Electric Power, demanding greater disclosure on net-zero commitments. After all seven companies rejected their initial non-binding advisory resolutions, the coalition filed proposals to amend articles of incorporation. Previous climate proposals have received support from 25% or more of shareholders.
【5】🌱 Hakuhodo "6th Survey on Consumer Awareness & Actions for Decarbonization" [04/11 Hakuhodo]
While awareness of decarbonization and carbon neutrality exceeds 90%, only 33.6% of Japanese consumers are taking action, according to Hakuhodo's survey. Teenagers and people in their 70s show higher action rates above 40%. About 70% have experienced climate crisis effects in the past year. The main barriers to action are cost concerns and uncertainty about specific steps, highlighting the need for suggesting easy, practical actions.
【6】🛡️ Security Aspects of Climate Change [04/15 The Japan Institute of International Affairs]
Climate change is being increasingly framed as a security issue, with scholars and practitioners using the concept of "climate security" to emphasize the importance of climate action. Japan's Ministry of Defense first mentioned climate change in its 2021 White Paper, and the 2022 National Security Strategy addresses it as "a security issue affecting humanity's existence," recognizing the interconnection of climate-related risks.
【7】🏭 Japan's JERA, Mitsui agree to build $4bn U.S. ammonia plant [04/10 Nikkei Asia]
JERA and Mitsui & Co. have partnered with CF Industries to build the world's largest ammonia plant in Louisiana, with a total investment of $4 billion. The facility will produce 1.4 million tonnes of ammonia annually, with ownership split among the three companies. Using natural gas as feedstock, the project will capture and store carbon dioxide emissions, with production starting in 2029. JERA aims to increase the handling of hydrogen and ammonia to 7 million tonnes annually by 2035.
【8】🚗 Exclusive: Nissan to cut Japanese production of top-selling US model due to tariffs, source says [04/15 Reuters]
Nissan will reduce Japanese production of its top-selling US model, Rogue, by 13,000 units from May to July in response to the Trump administration's 25% import tariffs. As the US is Nissan's largest market, the company is reconsidering its global production strategy, and other automakers are similarly adjusting their production plans.
【9】🤝 Collaboration not disruption is key to start-up success in Asia, say academics [04/10 Financial Times]
Research from London's King's Business School suggests Asian startups may find greater success following the collaborative innovation models of Japan and South Korea rather than Silicon Valley's disruptive approach. While Silicon Valley startups challenge incumbents in a zero-sum game, the East Asian model promotes collaboration where startups inject innovation while benefiting from conglomerates' resources and networks.
【10】☀️ Tokyo's new solar panel mandate: 'Can Japan avoid Germany's solar pitfalls?' [04/11 PwC]
Tokyo will mandate solar panels on new detached homes from April 2025 to increase renewable energy generation, supporting its 2050 carbon neutrality goal. However, Germany's experience shows that rapid residential PV expansion challenges grid stability. To avoid similar pitfalls, Japan should implement controllable solar systems, market-based remuneration policies, and home battery integration.
📬That's all for this week! Thank you for reading(or skimming) 🙇. I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!
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