Japan's Green Crossroads: From Youth Climate Litigation to Auto Industry Debates

Welcome! I am Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 127 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 2,570 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 1: "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.

*Disclaimer: Generative AI tools such as Claude Sonet 3.5 have been used for summary and translation assistance ??

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

【1】Japan group sues utilities, claiming climate inaction violates human rights - Country's first youth-led climate litigation comes as regional, global cases multiply [10/18 Nikkei Asia]

• Young Japanese are taking major utilities to court, arguing that insufficient climate action violates their human rights. This landmark case reflects a growing global climate litigation trend, challenging companies and governments to act aggressively against climate change. The first hearing is set for Oct. 24.

【2】Opinion | Japan Hopes Electric Cars Were Just a Bad Dream - A tale of two auto shows in Tokyo and Paris offers a surprising verdict about who’s better prepared for the future. [ 10/18 Bloombberg]

• The article contrasts the Paris Motor Show's focus on affordable electric vehicles (EVs) with Japan's Mobility Show, which largely ignored EVs in favor of hydrogen and biofuel technologies. It criticizes Japanese automakers, particularly Toyota, for their reluctance to embrace EVs despite early advantages in the field. The piece argues that Japan's automotive industry is falling behind global trends, with EVs accounting for only 2.2% of car sales in Japan compared to higher percentages in other countries. The author suggests that this approach may harm Japan's automotive future.

【3】A Pathway to 80% Renewable Energy - A conversation with Kae Takase, Renewable Energy Institute [10/18 Power Japan]

• Japan's Renewable Energy Institute proposes an ambitious plan for 80% renewable energy by 2035, cutting CO2 emissions significantly while supporting industry. The plan emphasizes grid upgrades, energy storage, and strategic coal phase-out. This approach challenges current energy policies and calls for more inclusive decision-making processes.

【4】Japan's Chubu Electric eyes increased investment in overseas renewables, SMRs [10/17 Reuters]

• Chubu Electric Power plans to increase investments in overseas decarbonization assets, including renewable energy, small modular reactors (SMRs), and carbon capture storage (CCS). The company aims to spend 400 billion yen on overseas assets by 2030, targeting a recurring profit of 20 billion yen.
• Chubu has partnered with BP on a CCS project in Nagoya and sees geothermal, SMR, and CCS as key growth drivers. The company recognizes the global trend towards nuclear power, particularly SMRs, as highlighted by Amazon's recent move. Chubu aims to expand its global decarbonized energy portfolio through 2030, while keeping Japan's energy options open with emerging technologies.

【5】CO2 Capture Technologies Advancing with Eye on Climate Change; New Technologies Include Absorption Coating Compound for Concrete [10/20 Japan News (Yomiuri)]

• As the global DAC market surges, Japanese firms advance in the CO2 capture tech race with innovative concrete coatings. The government backs the sector through the Moonshot program, while the US and EU lead market development.

【6】New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his energy policy [10/11 The Institute of Energy Economics]

• This episode discusses “New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his energy policy.” Shigeru Ishiba recently won the LDP presidential race and became the new Prime Minister of Japan on October 1. Mr. Terazawa will explore the extent of his energy policy in this episode.

【7】Aging farmers face extreme temperatures as they struggle to maintain Japan’s rice crop [10/17 AP]

• Japanese rice farmers face significant challenges due to climate change, with record-breaking temperatures affecting both yield and quality of their harvests. In Kamimomi village, farmers are harvesting earlier than usual amid sweltering conditions. The situation is particularly concerning given Japan's aging farming population, averaging 69 years old.
• Last year's poor harvest led to nationwide rice shortages. Researchers are developing heat-resistant rice variants like Sai no Kizuna to combat these challenges, though convincing farmers to switch from traditional varieties remains difficult. Scientists suggest Japan needs rice strains that can withstand temperatures up to 3°C higher by the 2040s.

【8】Lessons from Fukushima: Japan prioritises safety amid push to reopen more nuclear plants [10/20 The Straits Times]

Japan aims to increase nuclear power's share in its energy mix to 20% by 2030, balancing safety concerns with energy needs. The country has implemented stricter safety regulations post-Fukushima, but public opinion remains divided on nuclear energy's role in Japan's future.

【9】Onsite Seminar - Integrating Solar and Wind into the Grid [10/10 Renewable Energy Institute]

• IEA Energy Analyst Rena Kuwahata presented findings from a groundbreaking report on integrating renewable energy across 50 global power systems. The seminar focuses on solutions for higher VRE (Variable Renewable Energy) integration, which is crucial for Japan's decarbonization goals. The event attracted diverse participants from utilities, energy companies, and government agencies, featuring English-Japanese interpretation.

【10】Slides available: Japan Climate Action Summit [10/18 Japan Climate Initiative (JCI)]

The Japan Climate Action Summit 2024 brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss critical climate issues, focusing on policy changes, renewable energy expansion, and fostering a sense of urgency. The event aimed to align Japan's efforts with global climate goals and accelerate action.

??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 email me?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)