Japan, the third-largest economy in the world, is dependent on coal at a time when the climate crisis is gaining ground and most of the island’s economic partners have begun to phase out the heavily polluting energy source. The prospect of installing more coal capacity has been emerging for years. In 2018, Japan proposed adding 36 new thermal power plants (TPP) to its energy mix. Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that the country had revised the plan but still plans to add a total of 22 coal-fired TPP over the next five years. About 15 of these plants are already under construction.

If all 22 coal-fired TPP are realized, Japan will install enough new coal capacity to release an additional 74.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, more than the total emissions of countries such as Norway and Sweden.

The addition of new coal will turn Japan, which is the fifth-largest greenhouse gas polluter in the world, the only G7 country to build new coal plants in the country and the G7’s largest investor in coal production. other countries.

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, Japan is committed to cutting its emissions by 26% from 2013 levels by 2030. Last year, the Japanese government also adopted a strategy to reduce its carbon footprint after 2050. But if the envisaged 22 new coal plants are realized and put into operation, Japan may go beyond its 2030 target and move further away from its 2050 target.

“Coal is the largest source of carbon emissions in Japan”, said Kimiko Hirata of Kiko Network, a Japanese environmental group. “The construction of new coal plants is in clear contradiction with the Paris Agreement, which Japan has committed itself to”, added he.

Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are embarrassed by this trend as they say to their future guests that the country is “building the foundations for decarbonization” with renewable energy and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

But the trend shows that despite the government’s alleged concern about the climate, there are more powerful political and economic forces – and players, who govern Japan’s energy policy, often against the will of many Japanese citizens. As a resource-poor island country, Japan relies on imports of more than 90% of its energy, so the government is committed to providing reliable sources of fuel.

The coal that Japan buys from its regional allies provides some peace of mind for the government.

Coal energy is also a pillar of Japan’s export strategy. Its banks finance Japanese-designed and built power plants around the world.