Extreme Weather and Energy Transition: Japan's Climate Landscape Evolves
Extreme Weather and Energy Transition: Japan's Climate Landscape Evolves
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 9/10/2024 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 121 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which has been curating Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 340 subscribers [ more than 2,520 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】Japan's record heat in July 'almost impossible' without climate change [9/ 4 The Japan Times]
Japan experienced record-breaking heat and rainfall in July 2023, linked to climate change. Researchers used event attribution to analyze the impact, finding that global warming significantly increased the likelihood and severity of these extreme weather events.
*What was behind the unexperienced Typhoon in Japan? Report on climate change. [9/6 Nippon TV News 24 Japan]
Recent research by the Imperial College of London has shown that the increasing severity of recent typhoons is not just a coincidence. On air on September 2, 2024
【2】Japan swelters through hottest summer while parts of China log warmest August on record [9/3 The Gurdian]
Japan and parts of China faced record-breaking heat this summer, with extreme temperatures causing health concerns and disrupting daily life. The trend of rising global temperatures continues, with 2024 expected to be the hottest year on record for Earth.
【3】Fact sheet on Japan’s climate and energy policies [9/9 Climate Integrate]
English version of the report is now available! 👇
The Japanese government is currently holding internal discussions with plans to update its Strategic Energy Plan and Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures and to create a GX2040 Vision by the end of March 2025.
Climate Integrate has compiled key facts and issues for these discussions about climate and energy policies, covering each topic's current status, issues, and policy directions.
【4】Toyota to slow EV output to 30% below previous 2026 sales forecast - Japan auto giant revises plan, now eyes 1m cars for global market [9/6 Nikkei Asia]
Toyota Motor adjusts its EV strategy amid cooling global demand, cutting its 2026 production target by 30% to 1 million vehicles. This move reflects a broader industry trend, with other major automakers also revising their EV plans in response to market changes.
【5】BMW, Toyota to strengthen collaboration on fuel cells [9/6 NHK World]
BMW and Toyota strengthened their partnership to advance hydrogen fuel cell technology, aiming for mass production and improved infrastructure. This collaboration seeks to make fuel-cell vehicles more accessible and practical for a broader range of consumers.
【6】Japan to give up to $2.4 bln in new support for domestic EV battery production [9/6 Reuters]
Japan is boosting its EV battery industry with significant subsidies, supporting major automakers and suppliers. This move aims to strengthen the country's battery supply chain and increase production capacity, positioning Japan as a key player in the global EV market.
【7】Opinion | Japan is quietly in the lead on ammonia-coal co-firing projects - Support from Tokyo is helping to drive Indonesia's green energy goals [9/6 Nikkei Asia]
Japan's pioneering efforts in ammonia-coal co-firing technology, driven by post-Fukushima energy concerns, are positioning the country as a leader in the global energy transition. This technology offers significant potential for reducing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants worldwide.
【8】Japan Leadership Race Needs Nuclear Debate, Ex-IEA Chief Says [9/6 Bloomberg]
Japan's leadership race lacks crucial nuclear power debate, hindering economic and security goals. Politicians avoid the topic due to public fears, but open discussion is vital for energy independence, emissions targets, and national security in the face of regional threats.
【9】Tokyo Stock Exchange carbon trading slowly picks up in first year - Companies prepare for government initiative in 2026 to speed up emission cuts [9/8 Nikkei Asia]
Tokyo Stock Exchange's carbon credit market shows slow but steady growth in its first year. While trading volume lags behind overseas markets, Japanese companies are increasingly interested in using it to meet emission reduction targets. The market is set to expand with the launch of a national emission trading system in 2026.
【10】Japan faces worst rice shortage in decades - Empty shelves blamed on government’s policy of limiting production, tourist influx and extreme weather [9/7 Financial Times]
Japan's severe rice shortage stems from a perfect storm of factors, including record tourism, climate issues, and decades of production-limiting policies. The crisis highlights vulnerabilities in Japan's food system and may prompt policy changes.
【Event Info & Call for AgriFoodTech Pitch presenter at Japan AgriFoodTech Exchange 2024- to be held on 9/26】
CIC Tokyo plans to host a pitch event in collaboration with AgFunder on September 26. The application for the pitch presenters is open until 9/15. [Apply from the form] Presenters will receive pitch training seminars from AgFunder. Additionally, the winner will be offered a chance to travel to Singapore for International Agrifood Week in November.
📬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
ichi (Hiroyasu Ichikawa)