🌡️ Japan Hits 41.8°C Record High as Sea Temps Double Global Rise, Reshaping Energy Future
🥵If you struggle with this scary heat, please take a look, and share with your friends, colleagues, and family, thank you!
🎧🗣️Audio Version of this newsletter, thanks to NotebookLM
In English🇺🇲: Japan Climate Curation vol. 164 [15:40 min.]
In Japanese🇯🇵: Japan Climate Curation vol. 164 [6:33 min.]
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 8/6/2025 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 164 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which has been curating hand-picked Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 470 subscribers [ more than 2,930 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🙂🙇
*note : "Climate Curation" a different climate newsletter in Japanese (every Saturday) is available on Linkedin / note / theLetter. It curates Japan and global climate-tech trends. I hope you like it.
【Digest of this week's topics】
Japan shattered temperature records with 41.8°C in Gunma Prefecture, while sea temperatures reached 1.7°C above normal—causing fish catches to plummet to one-tenth over the past decade. This escalating climate crisis is driving innovation, with 119 companies showcasing revolutionary heat protection gear including electricity-free cooling jackets. However, Japan's energy transition faces significant challenges: the ammonia co-firing strategy may require ¥15-30 trillion in subsidies over 15 years, while regulatory barriers prevent plug-in solar adoption despite success in 25 EU countries. International dynamics complicate Japan's position, with Trump's LNG pressure increasing imports from 10% to 30% while the $60bn+ Alaska project struggles for Asian backing due to doubled costs. Investment activity shows mixed signals—Panasonic dismissed solid-state batteries as "niche" despite Toyota's 2027 commitments, while Sumitomo Mitsui Trust launched Japan's first ¥15 billion secondary startup fund. Climate tech innovation faces the persistent challenge of bridging excellent fundamental research with commercial deployment.
*Disclaimer: Generative AI tools such as Claude Sonet 4 and NotebookLM have been used for summary and translation assistance. 🙂
[🇯🇵📰👀Japan Climate News Headlines]
【1】🌡️ Japan record high of 41.8 degrees Celsius observed north of Tokyo [8/5 NHK World]
Japan recorded its highest-ever temperature of 41.8°C on Tuesday in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, surpassing last week's record of 41.2°C in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Twelve locations in the Kanto-Koshin region exceeded 40°C, including 41.2°C in Kiryu City and 41.0°C in Maebashi City, both in Gunma. A high-pressure system over the Pacific coast brought clear skies but hazardous heat. This marks the sixth time this summer temperatures reached 40°C or above. Heatstroke alerts were issued for 44 of Japan's 47 prefectures, with authorities urging people to avoid unnecessary outings and maintain hydration. Meanwhile, northern regions experienced record rainfall, with Noshiro City recording 65mm per hour and Kushiro City 60mm per hour due to a low-pressure system.
【2】🥵🐟 Japan's Sea Temperatures Rise at Double Global Rate as Fish Flee, Catches Plummet 90% [Nikkei Newspaper]
Japan's seawater temperature rise is twice the global average, severely impacting fisheries across the nation. July 2025 sea surface temperatures were 1.7°C above normal, marking the highest levels since records began in 1982. Pacific saury catches dropped dramatically to one-tenth over the past decade, while squid populations also declined sharply due to changing ocean conditions. Rising temperatures are shifting fish distribution patterns northward, while reduced plankton availability from ocean stratification causes widespread fish downsizing. Fishing communities are increasingly pivoting to aquaculture operations as their primary adaptation strategy, developing local salmon brands to offset traditional catch losses.
【3】🌡️ Heatwave Expo: Beyond Fan-Powered Gear!? Revolutionary Heat Protection Apparel Evolution [7/24 Tokyo MX News]
Tokyo recorded temperatures exceeding 37°C today, prompting a heat countermeasure product exhibition at Tokyo Big Site. Following the June mandate for workplace heat stroke prevention, a record 119 companies participated. Featured innovations include eco-friendly jackets using water evaporation cooling without electricity, and ponchos with contact cooling fabric (Q-max 0.5) maintaining coolness for one hour. Products also offer 99% UV protection. Organizers expressed expectations for product evolution responding to increasingly severe heat.
【4】☀️ Plug-in Solar Systems - Global Expansion and the Status in Japan [7/31 Renewable Energy Institute]
Plug-in solar systems are small-scale photovoltaic units installable on balconies and directly connectable to standard household outlets, enabling energy democratization for rental and multi-unit dwelling residents previously excluded from solar adoption. Germany leads with over 1 million registered systems, and 25 EU countries have legalized them. However, Japan applies identical regulations to small systems as large installations, requiring licensed electrician work and grid connection applications, creating adoption barriers. Legal framework reform, simplified technical standards, and updated building codes are essential for widespread deployment.
【5】⚡ Japan's Ammonia Strategy: Excessive costs signal need for alternatives in the power sector [Asia Research & Engagement]
Japan's ammonia co-firing strategy for coal-fired power is a key decarbonization pathway, yet analysis projects production costs could exceed revenue by up to twofold, demanding ¥15-30 trillion in subsidies over 15 years. This far surpasses the government's current ¥3 trillion allocation for power and hard-to-decarbonize industries. The report suggests that allocating resources towards scaling up renewable energy, strengthening the grid, investing in batteries, and accelerating the reduction of coal's share in the power mix is a more economically rational approach.
【6】🔋 Tesla supplier Panasonic spurns solid-state batteries as 'niche' [8/5 Financial Times]
Panasonic's CTO Tatsuo Ogawa dismissed solid-state batteries for electric vehicles as a "niche" product, arguing they lack sufficient potential to replace evolving lithium-ion batteries. His skeptical stance aligns with CATL's CEO, who stated solid-state commercialization remains years away, challenging Toyota's belief in breakthrough technology. Despite running its own solid-state research program and establishing a joint venture with Toyota in 2020, Panasonic questions market viability even if technical hurdles are overcome. The company emphasizes lithium-ion advancement, citing BYD's fast-charging systems as proof alternatives exist. Toyota maintains commitment to delivering solid-state batteries by 2027.
【7】🛢️ How Trump is gaslighting on climate change — with Japan's help [8/3 The Japan Times]
Trump's "drill, baby, drill" policy aggressively pushes LNG exports, pressuring Japan and trading partners to buy more US gas in exchange for tariff relief. While Japanese companies have increased US LNG imports from 10% to 30%, they face higher long-term costs. Gulf Coast communities suffer health impacts and fishing industry collapse. The $44 billion Alaska LNG project faces economic uncertainty amid global oversupply concerns, raising questions about this "carbon bomb" strategy's sustainability.
【8】🌐 Donald Trump's Alaska LNG ambitions fall flat with Asian allies despite tariff pressure [8/5 Financial Times]
Trump's Alaska LNG ambitions face skepticism from Asian allies despite tariff pressure. The $60bn+ project, including an 800-mile pipeline, lacks Asian equity investments or even non-binding purchase agreements. While JERA acknowledges shorter shipping times to Japan (8 days vs 35), it demands detailed project information. South Korea questions economic feasibility, particularly pipeline construction costs. Experts describe it as speculative investment where "politics overrides commercial logic." Costs have nearly doubled from initial $33bn estimates, with analysts doubting final investment decision prospects.
【9】💰 Sumitomo Mitsui Trust looks to bolster pre-IPO startups with new $100m fund [8/3 Nikkei Asia]
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group will launch a ¥15 billion ($100M) fund by end-2025 to purchase unlisted startup shares, marking the first secondary fund managed solely by a major Japanese financial institution. The fund plans to invest in 30-50 companies to address Japan's structural issue where startups are pressured into premature IPOs due to VC and founder exit demands. Japanese startup IPO market caps average ¥15 billion versus ≈¥320 billion in the US, contributing to poor post-IPO performance and limited unicorn creation. The fund aims to replace VCs as investors, giving startups more development time before going public and creating a healthier IPO ecosystem.
【10】🚀 What's next for climate tech startups & innovation - Hardware Startups, Japan Market Entry, Live Shows, Podcast [8/5 Disrupting Japan]
This is both a challenging and exciting time for climate tech innovation. Investment flows are shifting due to the IRA's impact, with increased attention on deep tech and university-driven research. Emerging areas like AI infrastructure and space tech, along with alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, are gaining focus. For corporate-startup collaboration, securing the first pilot project is crucial. While Japan possesses excellent fundamental research, commercialization remains a challenge. Looking ahead, economic drivers are expected to surpass environmental motivations, accelerating renewable energy deployment globally.
📬That's all for this week! Thank you for reading(or skimming) 🙇. I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!
Did you 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 theLetter.
Please feel free to contact me via email: hiroyasu.ichikawa [@]socialcompany.org, if you have any research/consulting needs for your business or just for a coffee chat☕.
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ichi (Hiroyasu Ichikawa)