SNA (Tokyo) — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived at the COP28 World Leaders’ Summit in Dubai without a concrete plan, making headlines with his commitment to phasing out certain coal-fired power plants. However, the absence of a specific deadline for achieving this goal has left the promise largely devoid of substance.

Kishida stated, “In regard to unabated coal power plants, they should be addressed by each country in the course of the respective pathways to net zero, reflecting national circumstances. In line with its pathway to net zero, Japan will end new construction of domestic unabated coal power plants, while securing a stable energy supply.”

Within this brief declaration, three significant caveats were embedded. Firstly, his mention of “unabated coal power plants” implied that Japan might still finance, construct, and utilize coal plants equipped with technologies that could reduce, though not eliminate, carbon emissions.

Secondly, the emphasis on “respective pathways” and “national circumstances” appeared to be a subtle plea for reduced international pressure on Tokyo regarding its energy policies.

Lastly, the absence of a specific timeframe for achieving these limited goals means Japan has not committed to any measurable standard for compliance, as long as “unabated” coal plants make progress at some unspecified pace.

Ayumi Fukakusa, deputy executive director of Friends of the Earth Japan, expressed disappointment, stating, “It is a shame that Prime Minister Kishida failed to show up with meaningful climate action. We don’t need more empty words that prolong the use of dirty coal. Japan must come up with a clear timeline for the phaseout of all existing coal power plants domestically and support a fair, fast, equitable, and funded transition to renewable energy. This is long overdue for Japan.”

This article was originally published on December 4, 2023, in the “Japan and the World” newsletter. Become a Shingetsu News supporter on Patreon and receive the newsletter by email each Monday morning.