Heat in Japan Drives Climate Innovations

Welcome! I am Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 116 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter?? The newsletter has been curating Japan-related climate news content weekly since the spring of 2022 and has over 2,430 subscribers. You can subscribe by clicking on the LinkedIn page or the substack link.

I hope you find the articles below beneficial for reading (or skimming)!

Found this week's 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" newsletter in ???? Japanese (every Saturday) is available on Linkedin / note / theLetter. It curates Japan and global climate-tech trends. I hope you like it.

[????????Japan Climate News Headlines]

【1】Japan experienced its hottest July on record [8/1 The Japan Times]

• Japan's record-breaking July heat wave, with temperatures 2.16°C above average, highlights the intensifying impact of climate change. Experts warn of more extreme summers ahead, emphasizing the urgent need for action on greenhouse gas emissions.
• Japan recorded its hottest July ever, surpassing the previous record set in 2023
• 3,509 locations experienced "extremely hot days" with temperatures of 35°C or higher
• Climate change is making extreme heat events more likely and more intense

【2】New 'most severe' category added to Japan’s heatstroke guidelines [8/1 The Japan Times ??]

• Japan's emergency medicine doctors have updated heatstroke guidelines, adding a "most severe" category to emphasize urgent treatment needs. Active cooling recommended for Grade III and IV cases to reduce mortality rates. This comes as heatstroke cases increase due to record temperatures, partially attributed to climate change.

【3】Ridesharing Restrictions in Japan to be Eased on Extremely Hot Days; Some in Govt Calling for All Restrictions to be Lifted [8/4 The Japan News]

• Japan eases ridesharing rules for hot days and events, addressing vehicle shortages. While some push for complete deregulation to boost economic growth, the transport ministry remains cautious, focusing on improving the current system.

【4】Power-X to Transmit Electricity in Deep Water Overcoming the "Barrier" of Offshore Wind Power [8/ 5 Nikkei newspaper(Japanese)??]

• PowerX, Inc. , a Tokyo-based startup, is developing electric carriers to transmit electricity from offshore wind farms in deep-water areas like Sagami Bay. The company's innovative approach uses ships equipped with storage batteries to transport renewable energy, eliminating the need for submarine cables.
• PowerX has begun test operations of its battery production line and plans to complete its first carrier by 2026. This technology could solve Japan's offshore wind power challenges, especially in deep-water regions with complicated traditional methods. The government is helping PowerX's big plan by allowing more areas for offshore wind farms and supporting floating wind turbines.

【5】Honda-Nissan Alliance Solidifies Japan Car Sector Consolidation [8/2 Bloomberg??]

• The nation’s automakers have now coalesced into two groups. The government plays a role in maintaining competitiveness. Japan's auto industry consolidates as Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi join forces to tackle EV and software challenges. This alliance, complementing Toyota's existing partnerships, aims to bolster Japan's competitiveness in the global automotive market, especially against rising Chinese competition.

【6】Isuzu to enter U.S. EV truck market ahead of tougher CO2 rules - Automaker to start locally assembled compact vehicle sales in August [7/30 Nikkei Asia??]

• Isuzu Motors is entering the growing U.S. EV truck market, starting with compact trucks in August and expanding to midsize by 2026. This strategic move anticipates stricter emissions rules and aims to establish a foothold in a market projected to reach $15.1 billion by 2030.

【7】Opinion - Honda’s Two-Wheel Indian Rivals It in the Dust - The Japanese automaker needs to catch up in a market where electric scooter sales are accelerating. [7/31 Bloomberg??]

• Honda, the creator of the iconic Super Cub motorbike, is struggling to keep pace in India's booming electric scooter market. While domestic manufacturers rapidly expand their electric offerings, Honda's slow response threatens its long-standing dominance in the world's largest two-wheeler market.

【8】Uzbekistan wind farms planned by Japan's Toyota Tsusho, Sojitz - Russia and China vie for Central Asia power projects, stoking competition [8/4 Nikkei Asia]

• Japanese trading houses Toyota Tsusho and Sojitz are entering Uzbekistan's renewable energy market with wind farm projects. These initiatives aim to diversify the country's energy mix, currently dominated by natural gas. The move comes as China and Russia also compete for power projects in Central Asia.

【9】Slow down to save the planet, says Japan's rock star philosopher Saito [8/2 AFP]

• Kohei Saito, a celebrity Marxist philosopher in Japan, argues that capitalism drives climate change and advocates for "degrowth" to save the planet. His book "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto" has sold half a million copies, resonating with young Japanese disillusioned by economic stagnation. Saito proposes reducing production, challenging overconsumption, and implementing radical wealth taxes. He believes grassroots projects like his Common Forest Japan can lead to change. While his ideas may seem far-fetched, Saito emphasizes that degrowth isn't about living frugally but challenging capitalism's sense of scarcity.

【10】Japan Needs Foreign Workers. It’s Just Not Sure It Wants Them to Stay. Foreign employees have become much more visible in Japan. But policies designed only for short-term stays may hurt the country in the global competition for labor. [8/5 The New York Times?? / Gift URL??]

• Japan's growing reliance on foreign workers contrasts its reluctance to offer long-term integration. While filling critical labor shortages, these workers face lower wages, precarious employment, and limited career advancement. This approach may challenge Japan's ability to attract and retain needed labor.

【Event Info| Free / Online participation available / held in Japanese】

【??????】8/7 14:00- 15:30 "Climate Tech - How should the Japanese media report on Climate Tech with media representatives and experts by Media is Hope

Register?? https://climateteckmih.peatix.com

??That's all for this week! Thank you for reading(or skimming) ??. I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!

Found this week's news topics 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" newsletter in ???? Japanese (every Saturday) is available on Linkedin / note / theLetter. It curates Japan and global climate-tech trends. I hope you like it.

• Please feel free to contact me via?email?at hiroyasu.Ichikawa [@]socialcompany.org?if you have any research/consulting needs for your business or just want to have a coffee chat?.
• My personal Twitter(X) account (in ????Japanese) @SocialCompany

ichi (Hiroyasu Ichikawa)