Why Japan is wary of teaming up with China to decarbonize Asia

Real question is whether China will allow Japan to assert leadership in sector

Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (front row, on the right) speaks at the first Asia Zero Emission Community summit in Tokyo in December 2023. Japan's eagerness to exclude China from decarbonization efforts in Asia reflects a shift in the balance of power between the countries. © Kyodo

TORU TAKAHASHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

December 29, 2024 11:00 JST

TOKYO -- In the third week of December, two major events took place that underscored Japan's close ties to the rest of Asia in energy and decarbonization efforts.

One came Dec. 17 with the release of a draft road map for Japan's energy policy by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The updated Strategic Energy Plan outlines the country's energy mix through fiscal 2040, with targets of 40% to 50% renewable energy, 20% nuclear power, and 30% to 40% thermal power.