Tokyo experienced a record high temperature for March -28.1 degrees Celsius

Welcome! I am Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 99 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter??, which curates Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 2,230 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)!

*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 may like it.

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

【1】Tokyo marks final day of March with record high temperature for month [3/31 The Japan Times]

• Tokyo experienced a record high temperature for March, reaching 28.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in 2013.
• This warm weather facilitated the enjoyment of cherry blossom viewing around the capital, with blooms at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward and other parts of the Kanto region, including Yokohama, Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa, which also saw record temperatures.
• This year marked the latest blooming of cherry blossoms in over a decade, coming 15 days later than last year and five days later than the average, with the last comparable late bloom in 2012. Despite the delayed start, residents and visitors have been actively participating in hanami parties, celebrating the season.

【2】Japan’s Top Utility Pilots Ammonia Use to Reduce Coal Emissions [4/1 Bloomberg]

• Japan's leading power producer, Jera Co., has started a pilot program at Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi prefecture, substituting coal with ammonia to reduce emissions.
• The goal is to replace 20% of coal heating value with ammonia, exploring the potential of ammonia in achieving Japan's net zero emissions target.
• Concerns include the effectiveness and costs of ammonia use, and the pilot will also investigate the emission of nitrogen oxide and impacts on power plant equipment.

【3】Japan and EU to develop cutting-edge materials for chips and EVs [3/31 Nikkei Asia]

• Japan and the EU plan to collaborate on developing advanced materials for chips and electric vehicle (EV) batteries to reduce reliance on China.
• The cooperation, aimed to be formalized in April, will focus on research and innovation in fields like renewable energy and electronics, with specific interest in developing sodium-ion batteries and leveraging metallic nanoparticles.
• The initiative seeks mutual benefits in advancing material innovation, setting international standards, and enhancing safety assessments for nanomaterials, with a substantial investment earmarked for research and mass production.

【4】CO2 levels in Japan hit record highs at all monitoring points in 2023 [3/29 NHK World]

• CO2 levels in Japan reached record highs at all observation points in 2023, with levels exceeding previous records at land and sea locations. The highest CO2 concentrations were recorded in Ofunato City, Yonaguni Island, and Minamitorishima, with the whole-year averages ranging from 421.8 ppm to 425 ppm. Despite efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CO2 levels continue to rise, underlining the need for ongoing global warming mitigation efforts.

【5】Many Japanese Undecided on Nuclear-plants, Survey Says; U.S., U.K. Show Greater for N-power [3/31 The Japan News (The Yomiuri Shimbun)]

• Many Japanese remain undecided about nuclear power, in contrast to the stronger support seen in the U.S. and U.K., according to a survey.
• The indecision is particularly marked among younger Japanese, highlighting a need for clearer information dissemination.
• Despite the Japanese government's pro-nuclear stance, only 37% support using existing N-plants, with even fewer (24%) backing new constructions.

【6】‘Oppenheimer’ Opens in Nuclear-Scarred Japan, 8 Months After U.S. Premiere [4/1 New York Times *Free Gift URL??]

• "Oppenheimer" opened in Japan, earning $2.5 million in its first three days, confronting Japanese audiences with an American perspective on atomic bombings.
• The film excludes scenes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to mixed reactions. Some appreciated the new narrative, while others felt it lacked the victims' experiences.
• It sparked discussions on nuclear disarmament and the portrayal of historical events, highlighting differing views on nuclear weapons policy in Japan.

【7】Mizuho Will Offer Real Estate Loans Tied to Decarbonization [4/1 Bloomberg]

• Mizuho Financial Group Inc. will start offering real estate loans to encourage greenhouse gas emission reductions by providing lower interest rates for achieving this goal.
• The initiative is part of a growing trend in Japan for sustainability-linked loans, which had 665 loans worth ￥711 billion issued last year. The loans, managed by Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Trust & Banking, aim to accelerate decarbonization in older properties, a sector lagging behind in environmental efforts.
• Mizuho to incentivize decarbonization in real estate with lower interest loans, aiming to speed up environmental efforts in older properties.

【8】Japan sits at the forefront of climate resilient infrastructure in Southeast Asia [3/31 The Japan Times]

• Japan is leading initiatives to develop climate resilient infrastructure in Southeast Asia, including a focus on improving water access, sanitation, and hygiene.
• Through investments by Japanese businesses and government agencies, efforts are underway in Cambodia and across Southeast Asia to reduce disaster risks and enhance climate resilience.
• These initiatives are part of Japan's broader foreign aid strategy, emphasizing the importance of learning from its own experiences with natural disasters to assist other climate-vulnerable regions.

【9】With Japan’s help, is Vietnam headed for a flawed energy transition? [3/25 The Japan Times]

Japan aids Vietnam's $15.5 billion energy transition, but arrests of climate activists and reliance on coal and gas raise concerns over the strategy's effectiveness and fairness. Japan's involvement underscores complex dynamics in achieving carbon neutrality.

【10】Japan: Zero Waste Town - Power of Recycling | United Nations [3/27 United Nations]

• Osaki in the southwest of Japan is known as a recycling town. With a population of around 12,000, the town recycles a remarkable 80 per cent of its waste, and was able to avoid building an incineration plant.
• Ms. Kasumi Fujita moved to Osaki in 2021 to work with the municipality, business sector and local community to help prepare the town for a more sustainable future.
• In 2023, she was elected as the first female council member of Osaki. She shares what motivates her and the people of Osaki to recycle for the environment and the future.

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

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ichi (Hiroyasu Ichikawa)