- Japan targets a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, focusing on renewables and nuclear power.
- The plan aims to increase renewables to 40-50% and nuclear to 20% of the energy mix by 2040, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Japan seeks to enhance energy security by cutting fossil fuel imports and boosting domestic energy production.
Japan has set a bold target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035, compared to 2013. The government plans to achieve this by increasing renewable energy and expanding nuclear power to secure the nation’s energy supply.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s administration updated Japan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), surpassing its previous goal of a 46% reduction by 2030. Japan currently relies on fossil fuels for 70% of its electricity, but high costs—about $470 million per day—have pushed the government to reassess its energy mix, according to 2024 customs data.
The energy transition plan focuses on boosting renewables while reducing dependence on thermal power. Japan aims to raise its share of renewable energy by 40-50% by 2040, up from 23% in 2023. The plan allocates 23-29% to solar power, 4-8% to wind energy, and 8-10% to hydropower. The government seeks to compensate for the country’s slow progress in renewable energy development.
The government has also reintroduced nuclear energy as a key part of the energy mix. After the 2011 Fukushima disaster shut down reactors, the government now plans to restart all operational reactors by 2040. The nuclear sector will account for 20% of Japan’s electricity, addressing the need for a stable, low-carbon energy source alongside renewable growth.
To support the transition, Japan will phase out many of its thermal power plants, which currently provide most of the country’s electricity. The plan calls for reducing their share to 30-40% by 2040. The shift will depend on expanding renewable capacity and upgrading the energy infrastructure. The government has committed significant investments in energy storage, grid enhancements, and related technologies to drive this shift.
Japan also aims to enhance its energy security by cutting its dependence on fossil fuel imports, which the country sources from abroad. Japan will reduce exposure to global price volatility and supply risks by increasing domestic energy production through renewables and nuclear power.
Driven by its climate commitments, Japan strives to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement. The new emissions target underscores the government’s determination to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and reinforce Japan’s role in global climate action.
While challenges persist, including the high costs of renewable expansion and public concerns over nuclear power, the government believes this balanced energy strategy will enable Japan to meet its climate targets without jeopardising energy security.
In this decisive period, Japan seeks to reduce emissions, strengthen energy resilience, and adapt to technological advancements as it transitions toward a more sustainable future.