Japan’s renewable electricity plans “insufficient”, says RE100

• Businesses representing over 32TWh call for tripling of domestic renewables target by 2035
• Japan spends between $140-230 billion a year on importing fossil fuels to meet its electricity demands
• Increased transparency and disclosure essential to determine true cost of fossil fuels in Japan

The Japanese government must significantly increase its ambition around renewable electricity in the finalisation of its three energy plans – the GX2040 Vision, its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the 7th Strategic Energy Plan. This is according to RE100's response on the 7th Strategic Energy Plan public consultation, the plan fails to meet Japan's international commitments to net zero and electricity decarbonisation.

Japan spends between $140-230 billion a year on importing fossil fuels to meet its electricity demands, leaving it acutely exposed to energy security risks and the volatile price rises of fossil fuels. By adopting greater domestic renewable electricity, the country can protect itself from these risks. Climate Group’s RE100 campaign has called for Japan to triple its renewable energy generation capacity by 2035 from 121 gigawatts (GW) to 363 GW. 

As part of this tripling, RE100 said the offshore wind target of 30 to 45 GW by 2040 is “insufficient”, calling for the target to be brought forward and base it on actual generation targets, instead of project pipeline. Offshore wind has the potential to provide 1.7 times more electricity than Japan’s primary energy supply with the entire wind industry potentially providing up to 350,000 jobs. 

“Japan spends billions of dollars every year on importing fossil fuels from around the world. This is money that Japan could instead invest in its own economy by developing domestic renewable energy. It’s the number one importer of liquefied natural gas and the second biggest provider of international finance for fossil fuels. Not only is Japan undermining its own energy security by continuing to invest in fossil fuel imports, it’s also undermining the global energy transition,” 

Climate Group’s RE100 initiative has over 200 companies operating in and with headquarters in Japan, representing over 32 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity demand in the country according to the latest RE100 report, that are committed to going 100% renewable by 2050 at the latest. In the public consultation RE100 calls for more effective funding for grid operators to reduce the waiting time for renewables to come onto the grid. 

RE100 members regularly cite Japan as one of the top two most challenging markets to source renewable electricity. To ensure greater access to renewables and produce a more competitive electricity market, RE100 launched six policy recommendations in Japan in 2024. These recommendations are supported by the full RE100 membership base of over 430 companies, over 60 of which signed an open statement supporting their adoption. The policy messages included the tripling target, as well as the prioritisation of grid upgrades and the mobilisation of nearly 18 trillion Yen in public and private investment between 2025-2030 towards renewable electricity and related technologies. 

“At COP28 Japan committed to helping the world triple globally installed renewables by 2030. In order to keep its word, Japan needs to play its part in that commitment by installing renewables domestically. The economic opportunity, and the increased energy security, from using renewables is clear to see” 

“We encourage increased ambition for renewable energy generation targets, as well as the inclusion of concrete plans around implementation and finance, in the upcoming finalised Strategic Energy Plan (SEP). This is an opportunity to increase Japan's energy security by reducing its reliance on imported fossil fuels. Furthermore, growing renewable energy supply will positively contribute to Japan’s domestic economy, via job creation and increased economic competitiveness.”