Nuclear Revival, Tech Expansion, and Fossil Fuel Tensions
Here in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, it hit 32°C today. The intense summer season has officially begun.
🎧🗣️Audio Version of this newsletter, thanks to NotebookLM
In English🇺🇲: Japan Climate Curation vol. 157 [11:31 min.]
In Japanese🇯🇵: Japan Climate Curation vol. 157 [6:00 min.]
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 6/18/2025 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 157 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 2,870 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 marked a pivotal shift as the Asian Development Bank reviewed its nuclear funding ban following the World Bank's reversal, while Japan and the UK formalized nuclear fusion cooperation targeting 2030s demonstration reactors. Technology innovation accelerated with Tesla's VPP expansion installing free batteries at 1,500 facilities and agricultural solar sharing addressing Japan's 10% abandoned farmland. However, energy contradictions persisted as Mitsubishi's $2.1 billion Canadian LNG investment faced $93 billion criticism from climate advocates over Japan's fossil fuel financing. Corporate pressures intensified with equipment costs tripling ahead of 2027 emissions reporting, while individuals embraced "decokatsu" saving ¥36,000 monthly. Japan's unprecedented 38.2°C heat during rainy season underscored climate urgency across all dimensions.
*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 Faces Extreme Heat Waves Despite Ongoing Rainy Season [6/17 The Japan Times]
Eastern Japan and Tohoku's Pacific coast experienced extreme heat exceeding 35°C on Tuesday. Kofu recorded 38.2°C, Takasaki 37.7°C, marking Tokyo's first "extremely hot day" this year. Despite the ongoing rainy season, a high-pressure system caused abnormal heat, prompting heatstroke alerts in five prefectures. Retail sales of parasols, cooling sprays, and energy-efficient air conditioners have surged significantly.
【2】⚛️ Policy Shift: Asian Development Bank Reviews Nuclear Funding Ban After World Bank's Lead [6/16 Financial Times]
The Asian Development Bank is reconsidering its ban on nuclear power project funding, following the World Bank's decision to lift its decades-long prohibition. Key shareholders Japan and Germany have pivoted their atomic energy policies to meet growing electricity demand from semiconductors and data centers. Japan pledged to "maximize nuclear power use" for the first time since Fukushima, while Germany's new government dropped opposition. The Trump administration targets quadrupling nuclear capacity by 2050.
【3】🔬 Japan-UK Nuclear Fusion Partnership Targets 2030s Demonstration Reactors [6/16 Nikkei Asia]
Japan and the UK will sign a memorandum of cooperation on nuclear fusion, combining the UK's remote-controlled robot technology with Japan's manufacturing capabilities. The collaboration focuses on R&D, facility sharing, and safety regulations for viable demonstration reactors in the 2030s. Remote robots are essential for fusion reactor maintenance due to radiation damage. The UK plans a prototype reactor by 2040 with an additional £2.5 billion investment in fusion energy.
【4】🔋 Tesla Expands Virtual Power Plant Business Nationwide with Free Powerwall Installation [6/13 Nikkei Asia]
Tesla partners with Fuyo General Lease and Global Engineering to install free Powerwall batteries at approximately 1,500 facilities across Japan. Companies can reduce electricity costs by storing power during low-price periods and discharging during peak hours. Target: 100 units by fiscal 2025. The Japanese government plans VPP support framework by fiscal 2026, while local companies like TEPCO Energy Partners prepare market entry.
【5】🌱 Agricultural Solar Sharing: Agri-PV Addresses Japan's Farmland Crisis [6/18 Renewable Energy Institute]
With abandoned farmland expanding to nearly 10% of all farmland nationwide due to workforce aging, solar sharing (Agri-PV) offers dual benefits by installing solar panels above crops. Sosa City in Chiba Prefecture exemplifies success with 40 implementation sites. Beyond preventing crop sunburn through shade in global warming, this approach promotes decarbonization and serves as an effective regional revitalization tool.
【6】🏭 Japan Inc.'s Climate Ambitions Strain Small Suppliers Ahead of 2027 Reporting Deadline [6/17 Nikkei Asia]
Major corporations' climate targets place significant burdens on small suppliers like Terada Iron Works, facing demands from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. New supply chain emissions reporting begins in fiscal 2027. Equipment replacement costs have surged dramatically - transformers tripled in price, electric furnaces doubled to tripled. Small companies recognize they "cannot survive unless following global decarbonization trends."
【7】⛽ Mitsubishi Corp. Secures First Large-Scale Canadian LNG Import for Japan [6/13 Nikkei Asia]
Mitsubishi Corp. invested $2.1 billion for a 15% stake in the $14 billion LNG Canada project, securing 2.1 million tons annually starting July. Canada offers 10-day shipping to Japan, avoiding geopolitical risks through Panama/Suez canals. This supports Japan's LNG supply diversification strategy, expecting additional annual profits of tens of billions of yen from fiscal 2027.
【8】🌍 Philippine Climate Advocates Protest Japan's $93 Billion Fossil Fuel Financing [6/17 The SunStar]
Philippine climate advocates joined Asia-wide protests against Japan's fossil fuel expansion policies ahead of the Japan Energy Summit in Tokyo (June 18-22, 2025). Environmental groups, including APMDD, held demonstrations at the Japanese Embassy in Manila. They criticized Japanese public financial institutions for providing $93 billion in coal and LNG project financing over the past decade, demanding a complete transition to solar and wind energy.
【9】♻️ EXPO 2025 Showcases Carbon Recycling Innovation to Combat Climate Change [6/02 NHK World]
This five-episode documentary series focuses on EXPO 2025. The first episode explores innovative approaches to combat climate change, examining new ways to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere using cutting-edge technology at a Carbon Recycling Factory. Besides reducing CO2 emissions, it highlights breakthrough methods for atmospheric carbon capture.
【10】💚 "Decokatsu" Lifestyle Initiative: Saving ¥36,000 Monthly Through Climate Actions [6/15 The Japan Times]
Japan's government launched "decokatsu" in 2022, combining decarbonization and eco-activities to create prosperous lifestyles rather than restrictions. While only 1 in 4 people know about it, simple actions like buying secondhand clothes and working from home can save up to ¥36,000 monthly and provide an extra hour daily. Using behavioral science "nudge" strategies and learning from Cool Biz's success.
【🎟️The Event info】Join us June 20 (Fri) 18:30 - Learn GX Management Frontlines at Station Ai in Nagoya [the event will be held in Japanese]
Discover key strategies for carbon-neutral business management that drive corporate competitiveness. From the latest government policies and global regulatory trends to advanced case studies by Tohoku Electric Power and Sala Corporation, plus co-creation opportunities with climate tech startups. I'll be moderating interactive cross-sessions with participants. Held at STATION Ai (Tsurumai, Nagoya), free admission. Essential event for manufacturing and regional business GX leaders seeking practical transformation insights!
*The details and registration: https://decarbonizing-management.peatix.com/
📬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)