Japan
Japan remains ranked 58th in the current CCPI. The country receives low ratings in Energy Use and GHG Emissions and very low in Climate Policy and Renewable Energy.
The Japanese government has committed to achieving net zero by 2050, though no clear roadmap for this goal has been announced.
In the energy sector, the CCPI country experts criticise the country’s inadequate coal phase-out plan. The G7 states it is jointly committed to phasing out coal by 2035, but the language was weakened for some countries, including Japan. In fact, Japan is the only G7 country without a clear coal phase-out date. The experts note that a coal phase-out by 2030 is needed to align with the Paris Agreement 1.5℃ goal and they demand that Japan have clear fossil fuel phase-out targets.
Call for an Early Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels
The Japanese government has categorised biomass as a decarbonised power source, in the same category as renewable energy. Japan imports large quantities of wood pellets to co-fire large-scale coal-fired and biomass-fired power plants. Such imports of increased this past year.
Japan has not introduced enough renewable energy and the CCPI experts call for the government to expand the use of offshore wind and solar power projects and urgently improve the power grid to prioritise renewable energy connections.
Japan is an active participant at the UNFCCC and has contributed financial support to implement the Green Climate Fund and Loss and Damage Fund. Nevertheless, the country often uses loopholes and its own interpretations of international agreements to maintain coal-powered energy and fossil fuels.
The climate experts view a coal phase-out as Japan’s most significant climate action point. They also call for an early phase-out of fossil fuel (oil- and gas-fired) power generation in Japan and development of a climate-friendly energy plan that includes expanded renewable energy.
Key Outcomes
- Japan remains ranked 58th in the current CCPI
- Japan is the only G7 country without a clear coal phase-out date
- Key demands: early phase-out of fossil fuel power generation and development of a climate-friendly energy plan that includes expanded renewable energy
CCPI Experts
The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:
- Kiko Network
- Masayoshi Iyoda (350.org Japan)
