🔥 Japan Mandates Heat Protection Rules While Nuclear Revival Attracts Fusion Billions
It's September! but Japan recorded its hottest summer on record with temperatures 2.36°C above normal🥵
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 9/3/2025 on Linkedin.
🎧🗣️Audio Versions of this newsletter are available thanks to NotebookLM
In English🇺🇲: Japan Climate Curation vol. 168 [18:04 min.]
In Japanese🇯🇵: Japan Climate Curation vol. 168 [17:18 min.]
🚀Now, the English audio digest of a sister publication, Climate Curation, which covers mainly non-Japanese global climate news topics, is available in English.
🇺🇲Climate Curation vol. 173 audio summary in English [16:54 min.]
🇯🇵Climate Curation vol. 173 音声概要 [18:40 min.]
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 168 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 2,950 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 confronted climate reality as the nation recorded its hottest summer on record with temperatures 2.36°C above normal, prompting mandatory heatstroke prevention measures for the first time. However, the energy transition faced setbacks as Mitsubishi Corp's withdrawal from 1.7GW offshore wind projects highlighted structural challenges, with construction costs rising over 20% and turbine prices doubling. The corporate sector showed mixed signals as Sony became the first major Japanese company to demand 100% renewable energy from suppliers by 2030, while Japan's EV adoption remained at just 1.9% compared to China's 54.8%. Positive momentum emerged as Japanese trading giants led a multi-billion yen investment in U.S. fusion startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems, while Mitsubishi Heavy and IHI boosted nuclear hiring significantly amid AI-driven electricity demand. Strategic independence advanced as Japan reduced rare-earth dependence on China from 90% to 60% through diversification, though traditional automakers including Toyota fell behind in software development, ranking 21st globally as the industry shifts toward digital dominance.
*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 experiences hottest summer on record with more heat ahead [9/1 The Japan Times]
Japan experienced its hottest summer on record with nationwide average temperatures 2.36°C above normal, according to the Meteorological Agency. Global warming and a strong Pacific high pressure system were cited as causes. Isesaki City in Gunma hit 41.8°C on August 5, setting a new record. September is expected to remain hot with 80% probability of above-average temperatures. Tokyo recorded 8,341 heatstroke ambulance transports by late August, exceeding last year's record.
【2】🌊[Comment] Mitsubishi Corp's withdrawal from offshore wind projects underscores need for institutional reform [9/2 Renewable Energy Institute]
Mitsubishi Corporation announced withdrawal from three offshore wind projects in Akita and Chiba (1.7GW total), paying JPY20 billion penalties due to construction costs rising over 20% and turbine prices doubling. While European countries swiftly reformed auction frameworks to address similar challenges, Japan faces structural issues including complex licensing systems, underdeveloped supply chains, and port infrastructure burdens. The government plans re-tendering but urgently needs institutional reforms through dialogue with developers. Offshore wind remains crucial for Japan's energy transition and industrial competitiveness, requiring sustained investment expectations rather than reduced confidence in the sector.
【3】⚡ Sony urges 100% renewable energy use for parts sold to group [8/30 Nikkei Asia]
Sony Group announced Friday its policy to encourage major suppliers to use 100% renewable energy for parts production by fiscal 2030. While non-mandatory, the request is expected to significantly influence suppliers. This demonstrates Sony's strong commitment to greenhouse gas reduction amid the Trump administration's skeptical stance on decarbonization. While overseas companies like Apple have similar initiatives, this is considered rare among major Japanese corporations according to industry experts.
【4】🔥 In a hotter world, East Asia tries to keep workers working [8/29 Nikkei Asia]
Japan leads East Asia in implementing worker protection measures against rising temperatures. Since June, businesses must designate heatstroke prevention officers, with violations carrying penalties of up to six months imprisonment or 500,000 yen fines. Regulations apply when employees work over four hours daily at temperatures exceeding 31°C or wet bulb globe temperature of 28°C. The Ministry of Labor expanded guidelines to include delivery workers, requiring employers to provide cooling equipment and rest areas. Companies are adapting with solutions like built-in fan jackets. However, challenges remain for task-based workers whose earnings depend on continuous activity. Japan's approach represents a significant shift from voluntary measures to mandatory regulations.
【5】⚛️ Mitsubishi Heavy boosts nuclear power hiring as it eyes next-gen reactors [9/1 Nikkei Asia]
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plans to hire a record 200+ people for its nuclear power business in fiscal 2025, while IHI aims to increase its nuclear workforce by 20% to 1,000 by 2030. Following the 2011 Fukushima disaster that shrunk the nuclear industry, next-generation reactor development is gaining momentum due to surging electricity demand from AI data centers. Kansai Electric has resumed new reactor surveys for the first time in 14 years, signaling industry-wide project revivals. However, talent shortage remains severe, with 17% of companies securing less than half their required staff.
【6】🔬 Mitsui, Mitsubishi Corp. lead Japanese investment in US fusion startup [8/29 Nikkei Asia]
Leading Japanese trading houses Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corp. have spearheaded a consortium of 12 Japanese companies investing in U.S. nuclear fusion startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). This multi-billion yen investment marks Japan's first participation in CFS funding, contributing to the company's $863 million fundraising round. The Japanese consortium includes major players like Kansai Electric Power, JERA, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Fujikura, creating opportunities for supply chain collaboration and technology transfer. CFS, spun off from MIT in 2018, aims to operate a demonstration reactor by 2027 and launch its first commercial fusion power plant in the early 2030s. This investment represents a significant step toward realizing clean fusion energy.
【7】🌍 How Japan beat the US in cutting rare-earth dependence on China [8/30 Bloomberg] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-30/how-japan-beat-the-us-in-reducing-rare-earth-dependence-on-china
Following China's rare-earth export restrictions during the 2010 East China Sea dispute, Japan launched a comprehensive strategy led by METI. Through four pillars—diversifying sources, recycling, reducing intensity, and finding substitutes—including investments in Australia's Lynas and industry coordination, Japan cut China dependence from 90% to 60%, targeting below 50% by end-2025. Meanwhile, the US remained vulnerable to Chinese supply restrictions despite individual measures.
【8】🚗 China's BYD expands Japan sales network to promote brand trust [9/1 Nikkei Asia]
Chinese EV manufacturer BYD is working to strengthen its presence in the Japanese market. The company sold 1,861 vehicles in the seven months to July 2025, achieving 56.8% year-on-year growth. BYD plans to expand its dealership network from 64 to 100 stores by year-end and will enter Japan's kei minicar segment in 2026, which accounts for over 30% of domestic vehicle sales. Despite challenges including Japanese consumers' wariness toward Chinese products and Japan's low 1.9% EV adoption rate compared to China's 54.8%, brand recognition is steadily improving. The company is offering limited-time discounts up to 1.17 million yen and building brand trust through dealership expansion.
【9】🛢️ Japan Inc. remains coy on Alaska LNG despite Trump push [8/27 Nikkei Asia]
Japan's LNG industry remains cautious toward the $44 billion Alaska LNG project promoted by the Trump administration. While President Trump mentioned creating a joint venture during July tariff talks, PM Ishiba's statement omitted specific references. Though the project offers advantages like 8-day delivery to Tokyo, construction costs are expected to exceed $50 billion due to inflation and labor shortages, causing Japanese companies to question commercial viability.
【10】💻 'Full of bugs': how the world's biggest carmakers fell behind in software [8/28 Financial Times]
Traditional automakers are falling significantly behind Tesla and Chinese manufacturers in software development. Toyota's new platform "Arene" was criticized internally as "horrendous" and "full of bugs" despite hiring Google experts a decade ago. Gartner's digital automaker index shows Tesla and Chinese brands dominating the top five, while Toyota ranked 21st. Industry experts warn the auto sector is heading toward a smartphone-like structure with few operating systems dominating. This transition shifts the business model from traditional manufacturing to software and services. Legacy systems and conservative cultures hamper progress. Technology partnerships have become crucial but contentious, with resistance to Apple's CarPlay Ultra. The industry races to avoid becoming mere hardware suppliers.
📬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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