Japan's energy policy is consistent with the agreement at the UN Cop 28 summit in Dubai to transition away from fossil fuels, the country's new minister of trade and industry Ken Saito said today.
Japan is pushing for the transition to non-fossil power sources, through expanded use of renewable and nuclear energy along with enhanced energy saving efforts and a shift to cleaner energy in the industry sector, Saito said.
Tokyo has pledged to cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 46pc by the April 2030-March 2031 fiscal year against 2013-14 levels and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, while reducing its heavy dependence on fossil fuels, Saito reiterated.
The Cop 28 summit ended on 13 December with an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a "just, orderly and equitable" manner. But the parties did not agree to a definition of fossil fuels, so interpretation remains dependent on each country, which will consider its own national conditions, a ministry of trade and industry (Meti) spokesperson said on 13 December.
Japan has repeatedly advocated that countries should implement decarbonisation through more diverse pathways, taking into account national and regional characteristics. The Cop 28 global stocktake text also included the various pathways approach.
Japan — a country with few natural resources — would have to continue using fossil fuels to ensure its energy security. But Tokyo is gearing up efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels, especially coal and oil. The government considers natural gas, or LNG, as an important transition fuel, according to the Meti spokesperson.
Tokyo has included new gas-fired projects in its zero emissions power capacity auction, subject to a gradual switch from gas to cleaner energy such as hydrogen and ammonia. The long-term zero emissions power capacity auction system is aimed at spurring investment in clean power sources, by securing funding in advance to drive the country's decarbonisation toward 2050. The first auction is planned for January 2024.
