On February 18, 2023, the Japanese government officially approved its revised climate change countermeasures, dubbed the 'Climate Change Countermeasures Plan' and the '7th Basic Energy Plan,' aiming for aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.
The new GHG reduction goal is to achieve a 60% decrease by fiscal year 2035 compared to 2013 levels, followed by a 73% reduction by fiscal year 2040. These targets are aligned with the Paris Agreement and have been submitted as Japan's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Traditionally focused on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, Japan's energy mix is transitioning toward renewable sources, with the plan aiming for 40-50% of power generation to come from renewables by 2040. The updated energy plan also stated the commitment to reduce reliance on nuclear power, reducing its proportion to approximately 20%.
Despite these steps forward, environmental groups expressed disappointment, arguing the plans insufficiently address the urgent climate crisis. According to FoE Japan, the current plans maintain structures dependent on large-scale electricity generation, keeping the status quo rather than facing the climate crisis directly. They stated, 'The strategy of maintaining mass production and consumption through large centralized power sources with nuclear and fossil fuels places immense burdens on future generations, indicating a significant disconnection from reality. We protest against this.'
Japan’s current CO2 emissions stand at about 1.135 billion tons, marking a 9.3% reduction from 2013 levels. Within the household sector alone, emissions constitute nearly 158 million tons, mostly due to electricity consumption, prompting the government to promote energy-saving renovations like high-efficiency water heaters and insulated windows.
The ambitious plan aligns with longer-term objectives of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Government efforts include encouraging citizens to rethink their lifestyles about climate change, integrating renewable energy sources, and following enhanced energy management practices.
The government is set to implement stricter energy-saving standards by April, with mandatory compliance aimed toward achieving Zero Energy House (ZEH) standards by 2030. They also envision all new constructions meeting ZEH specifications, ensuring energy-efficient materials across residential buildings.
Plans extend beyond new builds, as the strategy promotes upgrading existing homes and enhancing energy efficiency through programs like Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) and smart home devices, with nearly widespread adoption expected by 2030.
Japan's ambitious revised plans coincide with significant technological advancements, such as the GOSAT (Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite) project, initiated by the Ministry of the Environment and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This satellite initiative continuously monitors greenhouse gas concentrations globally, providing high-precision data instrumental in tracking the effectiveness of climate mitigation measures.
The GOSAT project includes both GOSAT and GOSAT-2 satellites, capable of capturing changes over the entire globe, and is set to launch GOSAT-GW, which aims to offer enhanced observational accuracy, focusing on more localized regions and aiding both national and corporate environmental measures.
Environmental NGOs have urged the Japanese government to adopt more aggressive and transparent climate policies. Activists claim the need for accountability is pressing and called for efforts like GHG emission monitoring and ensuring accurate reporting to play central roles.
The overall narrative around Japan’s climate strategy reflects the pressing global dialogue on climate change, showcasing Japan's tactical shift toward incorporating stricter conservation goals, renewable energy integration, and innovative technological monitoring like GOSAT to inform future climate actions.
Such ambitious measures highlight the need for both immediate action and sustained accountability. Accepting the climate challenge now is more pivotal than ever, as Japan not only aims for ambitious reductions but also strives to fulfill its international commitments and secure the environmental health of future generations.