Japan Navigates Climate Pressure as Renewable Targets Face Reality Check While Doubling Down on LNG
This week reveals Japan's complex environmental and energy landscape. 🎧AI-powered audio version is available in English and Japanese!
🎧🗣️Audio Version of this newsletter, thanks to NotebookLM
In English🇺🇲: Japan Climate Curation vol. 154 [12:25 min.]
In Japanese🇯🇵: Japan Climate Curation vol. 154 [8:13 min.]
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 5/28/2025 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 154 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which has been curating hand-picked Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 460 subscribers [ more than 2,840 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🙂🙇
【Digest of this week's topics】
This week reveals Japan's complex environmental and energy landscape. While launching its first Weather Attribution Center to study extreme weather and exploring small modular reactors, Japan continues massive LNG investments totaling $93 billion despite climate commitments. Growing political pressure emerges as 33% of voters prioritize climate issues, yet offshore wind development struggles with targets unmet. Environmental conflicts intensify as 67,000 citizens oppose megasolar projects threatening wildlife, while urban development threatens Japan's sacred tree spaces. Meanwhile, Trump's 25% auto tariffs create a "national crisis" for Japan's 68,000-company automotive supply chain, highlighting vulnerabilities as it competes with Chinese EVs and grapples with emerging health concerns like microplastics.
*Disclaimer: Generative AI tools such as Claude Sonet 4.0 and NotebookLM have been used for summary and translation assistance. 🙂
[🇯🇵📰👀Japan Climate News Headlines]
【1】🌡️ New body will track climate change's impact on Japan [05/21 NHK World]
Japan has launched its first weather attribution center to study extreme weather events using simulations comparing real-world patterns with those in a world without global warming. Following Tokyo hitting over 30°C for the first time this year and last year's record heat waves that caused over 97,000 heat-related illnesses, the center will analyze increasing typhoon frequency and intensity. Ocean heat waves fuel stronger storms, raising flood and landslide risks, while experts recommend individual climate actions and urge governments to base policies on scientific data.
【2】🗳️ One in Three Voters Prioritize Climate in Upcoming Elections [05/26 Japan Climate Alliance]
A nationwide survey reveals that 33.1% of Japanese voters are "climate voters" ahead of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and House of Councillors elections. Over 80% of respondents perceive negative impacts from climate change, with significant concerns about food prices and agricultural yields. More than 70% of voters express interest in energy, environment, and climate change issues, indicating strong support for candidates prioritizing climate action.
【3】🌬️ Japan poised to sweeten offshore wind rules as players get cold feet [05/27 Reuters]
Japan aims for 45GW offshore wind capacity by 2040, but soaring costs and delays have hampered progress with major players like Mitsubishi, Orsted, and Shell withdrawing. The government is considering industry-friendly measures including extending project duration from 30 to 40 years, allowing foreign-flagged vessels, and providing tax incentives. Only one-tenth of targeted capacity has been secured through three auction rounds.
【4】🦅 Eagle nest discovery sparks opposition to megasolar project [05/26 The Japan Times]
Local residents strongly oppose a 27.3-hectare megasolar project near Kushiro Wetlands National Park after discovering white-tailed eagle nests at the construction site. Over 67,000 signatures oppose the project, with support from 20 of 24 city assembly members. Mayor Tsuruma announced plans for a "No More Megasolar" declaration emphasizing strict environmental protection, while Kushiro City plans regulatory ordinances in September.
【5】⛽ Japan invests big in LNG despite climate-friendly promises [05/25 DW]
Despite pledging to halt fossil fuel financing at the 2022 G7 summit, Japan remains a leading public financier of natural gas projects globally. Japanese institutions invested $93 billion in oil and gas projects between 2013-2024, with $56 billion towards overseas LNG development—significantly more than the $24.5 billion in clean energy. While leading the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), Japan positions LNG as "transitional fuel," drawing greenwashing criticism.
【6】⛽ US invites Asian officials to Alaska for $44 billion LNG project [05/23 Reuters]
The US invites officials from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to Alaska on June 2 to discuss a $44 billion LNG project involving an 800-mile pipeline construction. Despite Trump's pressure on allies to invest in US energy amid tariff threats, major deals appear unlikely due to cost and logistical challenges. The decades-old project faces skepticism regarding viability from participating countries.
【7】⚛️ US small-reactor push draws interest from Japan, South Korea [05/23 Nikkei Asia]
The US and Canada are accelerating small modular reactor (SMR) deployment to address surging data center power demands driven by AI growth. SMRs offer one-third conventional reactor output with reduced construction costs. The US Energy Department announced $900M in grants with participation from Japanese firms Hitachi-GE and IHI, plus South Korea's Doosan. Data center electricity demand is expected to double by 2030, while Russia and China lead SMR development.
【8】🧬 Are microplastics hurting our fertility? [05/25 The Japan Times]
Italian researchers made a world-first discovery of microplastics in ovarian follicular fluid of women undergoing fertility treatment. Microplastics have penetrated nearly every part of the human body, with plastic additives potentially acting as endocrine disruptors. Japan's infertility rate has risen, with 1 in 4.4 couples seeking treatment in 2021. Experts stress the importance of reducing plastic use and exposure while calling for more rigorous research.
【9】🚗 Tariff crossfire hits Toyota, Nissan, Ford suppliers in Japan [05/23 Reuters]
Trump's 25% auto tariffs severely impact Japanese auto parts suppliers, with PM Ishiba calling it a "national crisis" affecting the 68,000-company automotive supply chain. Unlike 1980s trade friction, this strikes a mature industry competing with Chinese EVs. Companies like Kyowa Industrial, which diversified into medical devices anticipating EV transition, face setbacks as medical devices also face tariffs.
【10】🌳 Do Japan's trees no longer occupy the sacred space they used to? [05/26 The Japan Times]
A conflict has emerged between Japan's traditional reverence for trees and rapid urban development. Tokyo redevelopment projects threaten historical green spaces like the Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue, leading to extensive tree felling. Conversely, greening initiatives using the Miyawaki Method and innovative forest management are emerging. Experts advocate for greater awareness of trees' multifaceted benefits and interdisciplinary approaches to urban environmental challenges.
Event info
The FDSF PEST Conference 2025: Current Status and Prospects of Sustainable Finance in Light of Global Political, Economic, Social, and Technological Trends' is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, June 11 (Organizer: FDSF - Future Creation Initiative through Science and Finance / In cooperation with: Archetype Ventures)
Details: https://fdsf.jp/conference/2025
Registration: https://peatix.com/event/4199050
I will be moderating a session titled "Panel Discussion ③: Climate Tech Facing Headwinds, Required Climate Literacy, and Industrial Competitiveness Strategy."
I look forward to having in-depth discussions with our distinguished panelists about industrial competitiveness strategies encompassing everything from climate tech to "resilience" and "defense tech," as well as climate literacy. We would love to have you join us if you're interested 🙂
Grant Application info.
The CarbonX Program, initiated by Tencent in collaboration with industry, investment, and ecosystem partners, supports emerging low-carbon technologies through catalytic funding and resources. The program focus on building innovative pilot projects in real industrial settings, incubating high-potential startups, and supporting capacity-building initiatives to advance practical climate solutions. Qualified organizations working in relevant fields are encouraged to apply 🙂 (Application Deadline is May 31).
📬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)