Climate change

Japan Sets New Emission Targets For 2040

FEB 19 2025·Updated AUG 4 2025

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The Facts

Japan's Cabinet on Tuesday approved new climate targets aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035 and 73% by 2040 compared to 2013 levels. These targets extend the existing goal of a 46% reduction by 2030.
The Indian Express
Enerdata
The updated energy policy targets renewables to comprise up to 50% of Japan's electricity mix by 2040, with nuclear power contributing an additional 20%. This marks a significant shift from the current mix, where fossil fuels account for nearly 70% of power generation.
Power Technology
Kyodo News+
Japan will establish and implement the Joint Crediting Mechanism through public-private collaborations to secure accumulated emission reductions and removals of approximately 100 MtCO2eq by FY 2030 and 200 MtCO2eq by FY 2040.
Enerdata
The new energy strategy eliminates the previous objective of reducing dependence on nuclear energy and advocates for constructing next-generation reactors, despite nuclear power currently accounting for only 8.5% of Japan's electricity supply in 2023.
Reuters
Power Technology
The government plans to develop industrial clusters in areas rich in renewable energy and nuclear power and promote investments that aim to realize over 150T yen in public and private green transformation investments over 10 years.
The Japan Times
According to the country's environment ministry, Japan's targets are aligned to achieve net zero by 2050. However, Japan's 2035 targets are reportedly six percentage points short of the reduction needed to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Panda
The Indian Express
ETEnergyworld.com

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

These targets constitute a pragmatic approach to balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and are backed by comprehensive energy sector reforms and substantial investment in green transformation. They provide long-term business policy stability and ensure energy security through a diverse power mix.

ENV

The Japan Times

Narrative B

The targets fall significantly short of what's needed to meet global climate goals, with Japan, the world's fifth-biggest carbon emitter, failing to show adequate leadership. The country's continued reliance on nuclear power and slow transition away from fossil fuels undermine its climate commitments.