Renewable Energy Day / EV transition / climate-induced migration
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 9/26/2023 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 73 of "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which curates Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 160 subscribers [ more than 1,800 on Linedin]. You can subscribe by clicking on the Linkedin page or the form below.
Ten news articles were curated this week, covering Renewable Energy Day, EV transition, climate-induced migration, and more.
I hope you find the articles below beneficial for reading (or skimming)!
*Consulting Service is available for your Japan-related climate or net-zero business. The first 30 minutes of Zoom chat is free, and I could work at an hourly rate starting at $100. Please fill out your request using this link. Thank you!
[🇯🇵📰👀Japan Climate News Headlines]
【1】Renewable Energy Day event in Shibuya, Tokyo on 9/24 *photo: TV Asashi
I had a chance to attend the “Renewable Energy Day” event in Shibuya on 9/24 at a park in Shibuya, and it was pretty fun and inspirational to see a series of panel discussions with experts, media and business professionals, NPO leaders, and youth.
A 90 min. TV program~"Renewable Energy Revolution! Nippon's Challenge” was aired on the day, and public viewing was held with the audience at the park.
The streaming video archive is available until 10/1 on TVer (in Japanese) - SDGs Special / Renewable Energy Revolution! Nippon's Challenge [9/24 TV Asashi (TVer)]
More than 30 video reports by Yutaka Yamaguchi, TV Asahi journalist, are also available on YouTube.
There was also an exhibition of "perovskite solar cells," which are said to be the next generation of solar cells, and a lecture by a developer, Pro. Tsutomu Miyasaka. The event was organized by an organization called Media is Hope.
【2】Japan, Malaysia to discuss carbon storage with aim of 2028 start [9/25 Nikkei Asia]
Japan and Malaysia enter discussions on carbon storage projects to commence by 2028, leveraging Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' test ship for liquefied carbon dioxide transport.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, and Malaysia's Petronas on carbon capture and storage (CCS) steps is expected.
This venture, estimated to require an investment of about four trillion dollars over a decade, could set a precedent for international carbon dioxide shipping in Asia, aiding Japan's net-zero emissions target by 2050.
【3】China's BYD takes on Toyota, Nissan in Japan's small-car market [9/20 Nikkei Asia]
Chinese automaker BYD has launched its compact electric car, Dolphin, in Japan to compete against dominant local players Toyota and Nissan in the small-car market. Tailored to meet urban and rural driving needs with a competitive pricing strategy amid a supportive EV policy environment, BYD's new entry signifies a broader ambition to penetrate Japan's growing electric vehicle sector.
【4】Toyota to triple EV output as it chases Tesla, BYD [9/23 Nikkei Asia]
Toyota is accelerating its EV production with a target of 600,000 units in 2025, a leap aimed at bridging the gap with competitors Tesla and BYD. This includes launching new models globally, enhancing battery production capacities, and forming strategic partnerships for diversified EV solutions.
*Nissan Motor to sell only EVs in Europe by 2030 [9/26 Nikkei Asia]
Nissan is speeding up its electrification agenda in Europe, pledging an all-EV sales roster by 2030 to comply with stringent emissions norms. With a significant British EV hub investment, and a 600 million euros stake in Renault's Ampere, Nissan leaps ahead of competitors like Toyota and Honda in aligning with the EU's 2035 anti-combustion engine directive.
【5】Japan's EV infrastructure is aging as market fails to take off [9/23 Nikkei Asia]
Due to an aging charging infrastructure, Japan faces a challenge in growing its EV market. Many existing charging stations are being closed as they are underutilized and costly. Unlike Japan, other countries have boosted their EV markets by enhancing their charging infrastructures. Despite past subsidies, a slow pace in setting up new, efficient charging stations reflects a stagnant EV market in Japan, necessitating stronger public and private efforts to catch up with global trends.
【6】Japan's Mitsui, Canada's Northland to build 1 GW offshore wind farm in Taiwan [9/22 Reuters]
Japan's Mitsui and Canada's Northland Power Inc. are set to build a massive 1 GW offshore wind farm in Taiwan, investing $6.5 billion. This venture, part of global strides towards combating climate change, is a substantial move towards reducing fossil fuel dependency. It's an environmental milestone and a significant stride towards Mitsui's ambition of having over 30% renewable energy in its portfolio by 2030.
【7】EDPR to begin building its largest Japanese solar plant this year [9/22 Reuters]
EDP Renewables advances in the Asia-Pacific with its largest solar project in Japan, a 44 MW venture to sell power to a company. With prior expansions in Singapore and Vietnam, EDPR doubled its regional capacity to 1 GW, aligning with its large-scale solar project strategy over distributed installations.
【8】How Japan’s Salarymen Embraced Short Sleeves Through ‘Cool Biz’ [9/24 The New York Times]
Japan's "Cool Biz" initiative promotes wearing short-sleeved attire among corporate workers to keep offices warmer during summer, conserving energy. Starting in 2005 alongside Kyoto Protocol commitments, it's now adopted by over 86% of workplaces. However, its winter version, "Warm Biz" finds less favor, showcasing a challenge in shifting longstanding social norms.
【9】Japan’s endless summer pushes some toward cooler places [9/24 The Japan Times]
Japan's escalating summer heat is spotlighting cooler regions like Katsuura, where inquiries for relocation surged this summer. This hints at a budding climate-induced migration pattern amid global warming, nudging Japan to explore adaptive living solutions in its temperate zones.
【10】Tokyo Stock Exchange to start carbon credit trading on Oct. 11 [9/22 Reuters]
Tokyo Stock Exchange's (TSE) move to initiate carbon credit trading on October 11 signifies a strategic step towards aligning financial markets with global climate change mitigation efforts. This platform could potentially lure new investors and companies, facilitating the transition towards carbon neutrality goals.
📬That's all for this week! Thank you for reading(or skimming) 🙇. I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!
*Consulting Service is available for your Japan-related climate or net-zero business. The first 30 minutes of Zoom chat is free, and I could work at an hourly rate starting at $100. Please fill out your request using this link. Thank you!
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