"Press Release : Japan’s “Zero Emissions” strategy is a Greenwashing - 140 Civil society groups from 18 countries sent an open letter to G7 chair demanding support on swift, just and equitable transition from fossil fuels and not on 'false solutions'" 2 March 2023

Over 140 groups from 18 countries have issued an open letter calling on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to stop promoting and expanding the use of fossil fuels and derailing the transition to renewable energy across Asia. The letter was sent ahead of the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo which the Japanese government is hosting on March 4, to bring together energy ministers from across Asia to discuss Japan’s plans for decarbonization and cooperation on the energy transition.

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[...]Japan’s recently approved “Green Transformation” policy relies heavily on the use of fossil fuel-based technologies, including gas/LNG, co-firing of ammonia, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. 

Japan should not promote such “false solutions” but seek ways to cooperate in bringing swift, just and equitable transition into renewable energy at the AZEC Ministerial Meeting and at the following G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May.

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Japan must stop derailing the energy transition of other countries. Japan International Cooperation Agency’s plan (JICA) is drafting the integrated energy and power master plan for Bangladesh as part of their technical assistance program which is not in line with the 1.5 degree climate goal and is leading countries towards more dependence on fossil fuels. 

Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of CLEAN, says “Japan’s draft energy plan for Bangladesh ignores renewables in favor of coal and LNG. People are already suffering from the impacts of the climate crisis and reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. Dangerous and costly gas, fossil hydrogen and ammonia won’t help people. They are “false solutions” that deepen the crises further.” 

“JICA developed a flawed roadmap for Indonesia to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, strongly promoting ammonia co-firing, hydrogen and CCUS. In fact, Japanese corporations, such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are conducting feasibility studies on ammonia co-firing at existing coal power plants. The extended operation of coal plants would prolong not only the use of fossil fuel but also the adverse health and livelihood impacts on communities nearby coal power plants as well as coal mining. Japan must stop forcing and financing other countries to rely on such false solutions” says Fanny Tri Jambore, mining and energy campaign manager of WALHI.

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There is growing opposition to LNG and gas buildout across the region. In the Philippines, a massive build out of gas infrastructure is planned in the Batangas region."In the Philippines, 34 new gas power plants and 11 new LNG import terminals are planned. Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Osaka Gas, Tokyo Gas, Mizuho and JERA are among those who are behind those LNG build out. LNG/gas is dirty and a climate buster and is destroying rich livelihoods, rich ecosystems and thriving businesses. Like coal, gas will be a stranded asset and will be resisted by communities in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. Our region is home to vast renewable energy potential and we want Japan to invest in this instead of prolonging investments in fossil fuels" says Gerry Arances, Director of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development. 

See full open letter here.