Japan’s Post-Election Climate Strategy in Transition: Energy Security Rises, but Decarbonization Endures
Climate Change nor Energy Policy were not major election issues, but it seems long-term net-zero goals remain intact decarbonaization.
🎧🗣️Audio Version of this newsletter, thanks to NotebookLM
In English🇺🇲: Japan Climate Curation vol. 162 [14:00 min.]
In Japanese🇯🇵: Japan Climate Curation vol. 162 [7:53 min.]
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 7/23/2025 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 162 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 2,910 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's 2025 upper house election resulted in a historic loss for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, marking their first failure to secure a majority since 2013. At the same time, emerging parties—such as the populist Sanseito and the centrist Democratic Party for the People—gained significant traction. These new political forces are generally more cautious or ambivalent toward aggressive decarbonization policies. In the short term, this political shift is likely to redirect policy focus toward energy security, price stability, and infrastructure resilience. Nuclear energy is poised for revival, evidenced by Kansai Electric's resumed efforts to build a new reactor—the first since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Meanwhile, Japan is strengthening its LNG import strategy, notably through potential cooperation with the U.S. on Alaska-based exports. However, despite these near-term pivots, Japan’s long-term climate and energy transition goals are unlikely to be abandoned. Extreme weather events, such as nationwide heatwaves exceeding 40°C, continue to elevate public awareness of climate risks. At the same time, major government-backed investments in technologies like ultrathin perovskite solar panels signal a commitment to green innovation and reduced dependence on Chinese supply chains. Japan’s 2050 net-zero target and its industrial strategy for clean energy remain central pillars—suggesting a pragmatic but persistent path toward decarbonization, despite rising political volatility.
*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 swelters through dangerous heat [7/22 NHK World]
Japan experiences dangerous heat with Hokkaido recording temperatures above 35°C on Tuesday and possible 40°C on Wednesday. A high-pressure system is driving nationwide temperature increases. Some Hokkaido schools closed early due to inadequate air conditioning - only 82.6% of schools have AC. Zoos provide ice to animals as heat countermeasures. Heatstroke alerts issued nationwide with calls for proper hydration and AC use. Eastern Japan faces potential heavy rain due to atmospheric instability.
【2】⚛️ Japan takes step towards first post-Fukushima nuclear energy reactor - Kansai Electric Power resumes project 14 years after the country's worst atomic power accident [7/22 Financial Times]
Kansai Electric Power became the first Japanese utility since Fukushima to advance new nuclear reactor construction plans, resuming geological surveys at Mihama in Fukui prefecture. The company cited nuclear power as essential for Japan's energy security, economic growth, and carbon reduction goals. Japan has restarted 14 of 54 reactors shut after Fukushima, providing 8.5% of electricity compared to 30% before 2011. Government policy shifted after Russia's Ukraine invasion, targeting 20% nuclear power by 2040. Growing energy demand from data centers and semiconductor factories drives expansion plans.
【3】🗳️ Japan's nuclear power aims likely to continue despite LDP election loss - Some opposition parties support restarting or modernizing reactors [7/22 Nikkei Asia]
Japan's nuclear power promotion efforts are expected to continue despite the ruling coalition's loss of its upper house majority, as many opposition parties support reactor restarts or new construction. Kansai Electric plans to begin building a next-generation plant at Mihama, marking Japan's first new reactor since Fukushima 2011. The Democratic Party for the People, Sanseito, and Japan Innovation Party support various nuclear initiatives, while the Constitutional Democratic Party accepts restarts but opposes new construction. Only the Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi oppose nuclear power entirely.
【4】🗳️ Populism and polarisation come to Japan - The long-time ruling party takes an electoral beating [7/21 The Economist]
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered a historic defeat in upper house elections, losing its majority for the first time since 2013. Prime Minister Ishiba faces mounting resignation calls after calling the result a "harsh verdict." The centrist Democratic Party for the People doubled seats from 9 to 22, while the hard-right Do It Yourself Party (Sanseito) surged from 2 to 15 seats with anti-immigration messaging. Turnout reached 59%, highest since 2012. Voters expressed dissatisfaction with inflation response and immigration dominated final campaign days. Sanseito's "Japanese First" slogan and social media strategy attracted disenchanted voters. The results confirm populism and polarization have arrived in Japan.
【5】👥 Young Voters Are Pulling Japan to the Right. But How Far? [7/21 New York Times]
In Japan's election, anti-establishment right-wing parties gained significant support from young voters, dealing a historic defeat to the Liberal Democratic Party. The Democratic Party of the People and Sanseito, which didn't exist five years ago, surged. Half of voters under 40 supported these nationalist parties. The rise stems from frustrations over stagnant wages, foreign worker issues, and generational inequality. Sanseito, influenced by Trump, promotes "Japanese First." The LDP's moderation after Shinzo Abe's assassination enabled the right-wing emergence. PM Ishiba vowed to continue.
【6】🔥 Trump Says US to Form JV With Japan for Alaska LNG Exports [7/23 Bloomberg]
President Trump announced on July 23 that the US and Japan are close to a deal for joint LNG exports from Alaska. Japan has committed to $550 billion in investments, potentially advancing the $44 billion Alaska LNG project. The project has been proposed for decades but unrealized, requiring an 800-mile pipeline construction. PM Ishiba suggested including it in a trade package with the US in April.
【7】☀️ Japan bets big on ultrathin, ultralight light solar panels - Country carries memory of having ceded polysilicon leadership to China [7/23 Nikkei Asia]
Japan prominently showcases revolutionary perovskite solar cell technology at Expo 2025 Osaka, with over 250 panels forming the curved roof of the 250-meter Yumeshima Transportation Terminal. These film-like panels, discovered in 2009, are 20 times thinner and 10 times lighter than conventional silicon panels. Japan aims to increase solar power generation from under 10% to 29% by 2040 while strategically reducing dependence on China, which currently dominates 80% of global solar supply chains compared to Japan's less than 1% share. The technology uses iodine as its main component, where Japan and Chile are major producers. Sekisui Chemical leads commercialization with ¥310 billion investment, half government-funded, targeting mass production by fiscal 2027.
【8】🌍 Trump's tariff pressure pushes Asia toward American LNG, but at the cost of climate goals [7/18 AP]
Trump's tariff pressure is driving Asian countries to purchase more U.S. LNG to reduce trade deficits and avoid higher tariffs. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam have signed long-term contracts. However, experts warn this strategy could undermine climate goals and delay renewable energy transitions. LNG remains a fossil fuel emitting greenhouse gases, and long-term contracts may lock countries into outdated infrastructure. Energy security concerns also arise due to U.S. supply unpredictability and global market volatility, with analysts suggesting renewable energy would better serve both climate and security objectives.
【9】⚡ Asia's energy transition hobbled by '80s tech, UK software CEO says - AI to optimize use of intermittent renewables, as electricity demand accelerates [7/22 Nikkei Asia]
UK energy software company Kraken's CEO Amir Orad warns Asian countries cannot manage renewable energy transition with outdated 1980s technology. Power markets grow complex due to renewables, data centers, and EV adoption. Kraken offers AI-powered optimization platform balancing supply and demand. Japan and Australia are key markets, with Southeast Asian expansion planned. Long-term generational investment approach.
【10】💰 SMBC to double startup funding to $1.8bn through loans, investments - Japanese bank to launch fund to purchase unlisted startup shares from investors [7/23 Nikkei Asia]
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. plans to double its startup funding to 270 billion yen ($1.84 billion) for fiscal 2023-2025. The bank focuses on AI, space, and biotech sectors. With IPO market stagnation, venture debt demand has surged, with 2024 startup lending rising 18% to 231.8 billion yen. SMBC partnered with Leave a Nest to support university-based deep tech companies and plans to establish a VC fund targeting 10-15 billion yen. Other major banks including Aozora, MUFG, and Mizuho are also expanding startup support, accelerating efforts toward the government's goal of 10 trillion yen annual investment by fiscal 2027.
📬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☕.
My personal Twitter(X) account (in 🇯🇵Japanese) @SocialCompany
BlueSky account(English): socialcompany.bsky.social]
ichi (Hiroyasu Ichikawa)