These updates capture the most important items of evidence collected by the LobbyMap platform, allowing users to track how companies are industry associations are seeking to influence climate policy in real-time.
In a policy proposal published on its website in June 2024, the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) appeared to support an extended global role for ICE-powered hybrid vehicles, advocating for them to be recognized as environmental goods in resumed WTO Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations. In the same proposal, Keidanren also advocated for regulatory support for hydrogen and ammonia co-firing with coal, and appeared to support carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) with major exceptions, emphasizing concerns around the expansion of items subject to CBAM.
On 2 July, Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (JCLP) released a position paper on Japan’s upcoming amendment on the Strategic Energy Plan and NDC. In the paper, JCLP advocated for more than 75% GHG emissions reductions by 2035 compared to 2013 levels. The organization specifically called for the electrification of industry and vehicle transportation, alongside government intervention to allocate funds raised by GX bonds to renewables, opposing investment in high efficiency fossil fuel facilities. In the same paper, JCLP also advocated for more than 60% renewable energy ratio by 2035 compared to 2013 levels, through calling for offshore wind power for 20GW by 2035 and 90GW by 2040. This paper was handed to the minister of of Economy, Trade and Industry, representative of Komeito the ruling party, and the cross-party parliamentary group.
In a statement in the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren)’s Monthly Foreword for May 2024, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries CEO Seiji Izumisawa promoted nuclear energy and thermal power with carbon capture and fuel conversion to hydrogen and ammonia in Japan’s energy mix, with ambiguity around the timeline for the phaseout of coal and the decarbonization of hydrogen and ammonia production.
On May 27th, the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC) published a position paper regarding the revision of the Strategic Energy Plan in Japan. The FEPC advocated for measures to secure and maintain thermal power, and secure long-term contracts for LNG that will lock in unabated fossil gas. The federation also appeared to support co-firing of hydrogen, ammonia, and biomass as well as use of CCUS, but there was ambiguity around the timeline for the phaseout of coal and the decarbonization of ammonia production. While the FEPC also supported an increase in renewables and nuclear, there was some ambiguity regarding the pace and extent of this increase. In the same paper, the FEPC also appeared to support carbon pricing while emphasizing that the cost burden should be shared amongst the public.
On May 17th, during a Press Conference, Hayashi Chairman of Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC) supported the use of renewable and nuclear energy while emphasizing the continued role of thermal power (generally fossil fuel based) for the stable supply of energy. The Chairman also emphasized that price of carbon pricing should be borne by a public, appearing to avoid the excessive burden on the power generation companies.
On May 8th at a hearing of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry’s Electricity and Gas Basic Policy Subcommittee, the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) advocated for the government to strengthen its involvement in the investment and procurement of liquified natural gas (LNG). Meanwhile, it appeared to support renewable energy legislation, advocating for measures for the accelerated use of distributed energy resources.
On the May 2nd, during an interview conducted by Jiji.com, Hayashi Chairman of Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC) emphasized that coal “will play a major role until the end (in Japan)”, advocating that CO2 emission can be reduced by utilizing carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen and ammonia co-firing.
In a Nikkei Asia news report on May 2nd, a representative director at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries advocated for a shift from coal to gas power in Asia, stating that “eventually renewables will follow,” whilst emphasizing geographic difficulties in developing solar and wind power.
On April 16th, the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) published a policy proposal advocating for the Japanese government to create an integrated industrial strategy toward 2040. Regarding the energy mix, it supported government investments in renewable energy as well as “the maximum possible use of nuclear energy,” while also supporting hydrogen and ammonia for power generation with ambiguity on their decarbonization.
On April 17th during the Chairman Press Conference, Kito Chairman of the Petroleum Association of Japan welcomed the government's decision to extend the period of the Fuel Oil Price Drastic Change Mitigation Project, and advocated for the gradual phase down of Fuel Price Drastic Change Mitigation Subsidies rather than their immediate abolition.
On April 19th, during the Chairman's Press Conference, Hayashi Chairman of the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC) supported a role for nuclear and emphasized the need for its mention in the next Strategic Energy Plan, but gave no clear position on the energy mix in general. He also supported a continued role for thermal power and liquified natural gas (LNG) in the power sector, emphasizing the perspective of transition and secure supply, but unaccompanied by timelines that are aligned with IPCC guidelines.
In an April 9th interview conducted by Nikkan Kogyo, the Chairman of the Petroleum Association of Japan advocated for the gradual phase down of Fuel Price Drastic Change Mitigation Subsidies rather than their immediate abolition.
According to a Bloomberg article, the vice president of Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPC) supported the use of nuclear power in Japan’s energy mix over costly fossil fuels at the annual meeting of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum held on April 9th. It also emphasized the need to include a specific role for nuclear in the next national energy plan in Japan.
An article published on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ online magazine on March 29th supported financing and support mechanisms under Japan's Green Transformation (GX) Strategy, including growth-oriented carbon pricing. However, it also appeared to support hydrogen and ammonia co-firing while remaining unclear on decarbonization of their production, alongside supporting carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) for industries including steel, while unclear on the long-term role for fossil fuels and the conditions under which CCUS would apply.
At a monthly press conference held on February 22nd, Chairmna Kito of the Petroleum Association of Japan expressed support for regulations to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use, while also advocating for a longer phaseout timeline of fossil fuel subsidies.
At a METI hearing held on January 19th, the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan emphasized energy security concerns amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and appeared to call for the Japanese government to reserve surplus liquified natural gas (LNG) in new LNG tanks both domestically and abroad.
At a METI hearing held on February 2nd, the Petroleum Association of Japan appeared to state the need for oil, emphasizing its importance. The group also appeared to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a justification to increase the rate of oil use.
According to a January 26th news release, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation appeared unsupportive of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The organization presented their concerns around the policy at a joint meeting with the China Iron and Steel Association, attended by the Director of the Metals Technology Office of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI).
According to a Nikkan Kogyo article, the Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (JCLP) hosted a meeting with diet members to report on COP28 in December 2023. Its co-chair Kahori Miyake stated that "climate change policies in both Europe and the United States are protecting and fostering their own industries." Co-chairman Yoshinori Yamashita called for the strengthening of policies, stating, "Having policies in place gives us courage”.
At the New Year's Thoughts of the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) on January 5, Chairman Kito advocated for the need for oil in the energy mix, emphasizing concerns about energy security, independence and reliability.
New research demonstrates that the world’s largest companies lack transparency around their biodiversity-related advocacy, while retaining membership of industry associations actively opposing critically needed policy.
FinanceMap's 2023 Asset Managers and Climate Change assessment of 45 of the world's largest asset managers shows that the firms have not made significant progress on climate goals since 2021, despite an increase in climate targets through Net Zero Asset Managers and similar initiatives.
An investor briefing on Japanese financial sector exposure to coal power