Japan
Japan blocks green reform of major energy investment treaty
The European Union is seeking to amend the Energy Charter Treaty to align with climate goals, but Japan is resisting change as negotiations resume
No time for loopholes: Japan must immediately end all overseas coal finance
Environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi promised to scrap funds for dirty power plants abroad, but the government is making too many exceptions
Japan to launch ‘green recovery’ platform and ministerial meeting
Environment minister Shinjirō Koizumi is seeking to boost international cooperation on climate change through the response to the coronavirus pandemic
Japan sticks to 2030 climate goals, accused of a ‘disappointing’ lack of ambition
Japan has reaffirmed its 2015 goal to cuts emissions by 26% by 2030 despite UN plea for far tougher action this year to tackle the climate crisis
Shipping could raise ambition of 2030 climate target, study shows
Research also shows that a Japanese proposal to cut CO2 by installing engine power limitation devices on ships would not deliver meaningful emissions reduction
Japan waters down G20 climate commitment ahead of leaders’ summit
Draft communique circulated by the host stops short of endorsing implementation of the Paris Agreement, in an apparent bid to keep the US onside
Japan bids for top climate finance job, citing $1.5bn contribution
As the biggest donor to the Green Climate Fund, Japan said it had a ‘responsibility’ to ensure it is run well
Tokyo 2020 Olympics confirms use of rainforest timber in stadium build
Admission prompts calls for transparency over Tokyo 2020 supply chain with timber sourced from deforestation hotspot
Netherlands invests €1m in global climate adaptation centre
Dutch join forces with Japan, UN among leading donors for project aimed at helping countries understand how they can cope with climate impacts
Mr Trump, planetary conditions are not negotiable
Japan’s former environment and climate ambassador offers his analysis on how the international community can tackle the US president’s climate war
Japan, New Zealand to ratify Paris climate deal in 2016
Announcement makes entry into force for Paris deal more likely, but concerns remain over both countries’ weak emission cutting goals
G7 host Japan mocks UN climate deal with coal binge, say greens
Report hails US plans to close 100GW of coal power, contrasting it with Tokyo’s policy to support polluting fossil fuel domestically and abroad
Japan fleshes out Paris climate change plan
NEWS: Tokyo government says emission cutting strategy will be approved by May, but cuts likely to hinge on future of 40 planned coal power plants
Wikileaks: US spied on Merkel, Ban climate communications
NEWS: Latest batch of released intercepts reveal US penetrated UN, Germany and Japan discussions on plans for the Copenhagen climate summit
As memory of Chernobyl, Fukushima fades, activists renew nuclear warning
BLOG: 2011 disaster survivors urge UK to ditch atomic plans: “Don’t consider Fukushima as something that could never never happen to you. It could.”
Armed ships embark on secretive plutonium mission
NEWS: Consignment from Japan to the US highlights hidden cost and security risk of growing nuclear waste stockpile
US and Japan strike deal to cut coal finance
NEWS: Obama administration reportedly gets Japan on board to phase out controversial coal export credits
Japan delivers 26% emissions reduction plan to UN
NEWS: Tokyo has confirmed a target criticised by analysts as “inadequate” and less ambitious than it looks
A global carbon market could be a silver bullet for climate change
COMMENT: Making the polluter pay would spur “dash to renewables” hauling the developing world out of fossil fuel-dictated poverty
Japan’s G7 pledge at odds with domestic climate goals
NEWS: Despite signing up to raft of carbon cutting plans, Tokyo lacks a domestic strategy to address climate challenge, say analysts