Catharina Klein
Research expert covering Japan
Climate change in Japan - statistics & facts
The effects of global warming have been recorded in every corner of the world - including Japan. The annual average rainfall in Japan is increasing, and the average temperature in Tokyo hit record highs in 2023. These environmental changes can lead to economic consequences, as well as a loss of life. The number of deaths attributable to air pollution as well as heat strokes in Japan continues to rise, and in the natural world, crop growth is inhibited, and corals in the Japanese sea are dying off due to rising sea temperatures. Furthermore, the prolonged period of higher temperatures leads to higher concentrations of pollens in the air, triggering allergies and asthma attacks. Consequently, medical centers in Japan have recorded a growing number of patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis in recent years.
In terms of non-energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, the industry sector was one of the main polluting sectors as it had the largest final energy consumption. Since Japan is one of the global leaders in the manufacturing industry, the high emissions in this sector can be attributed to the intensive energy consumption required for mass product production.
These measures have produced a mostly consistent decline in annual greenhouse gas emissions in Japan since 2013. Nevertheless, as the country declined to sign an agreement to phase out coal at the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow in 2021 and the G7 summit in 2023, there has been repeated international criticism that Japan’s measures are not sufficient to counteract the effects of global warming. To reduce further negative impacts on everyday life, Japan would need to stop investing in fossil fuels sooner and prioritize renewable energy.
Main causes of greenhouse gas emissions in Japan
The energy conversion sector continues to be responsible for the most carbon dioxide emissions in Japan. Emissions arise here due to fossil fuel combustion for electricity production. Following the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in 2011, nuclear energy was replaced by fossil fuels which resulted in an increase in emissions shortly after the disaster. Over a decade later, natural gas and coal remain the energy sources with the largest share in electricity generation.In terms of non-energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, the industry sector was one of the main polluting sectors as it had the largest final energy consumption. Since Japan is one of the global leaders in the manufacturing industry, the high emissions in this sector can be attributed to the intensive energy consumption required for mass product production.
Japan's measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
As a member of the Paris Agreement, Japan intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent by 2030, compared to the 2013 value. Furthermore, the Japanese government announced its goal to become entirely emission-free by 2050 and emphasized the importance of restructuring the energy sector to achieve this. The country is currently focusing on replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear energy and renewable energy sources. In recent years, the share of renewable energy in electricity production increased to over 21 percent, reaching its peak in the past decade.These measures have produced a mostly consistent decline in annual greenhouse gas emissions in Japan since 2013. Nevertheless, as the country declined to sign an agreement to phase out coal at the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow in 2021 and the G7 summit in 2023, there has been repeated international criticism that Japan’s measures are not sufficient to counteract the effects of global warming. To reduce further negative impacts on everyday life, Japan would need to stop investing in fossil fuels sooner and prioritize renewable energy.
