8 July 2024

<Release> The list of endorsers for the JCI’s Message

JCI calls on the Japanese government to set an ambitious 2035 target
that is consistent with the 1.5-degree goal

The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) today released a message “JCI calls on the Japanese government to set an ambitious 2035 target that is consistent with the 1.5-degree goal” (Annex 1). The main pillars of the message are “Japan needs the NDC to reduce GHGs by 66% or more in 2035 and the 7th Strategic Energy Plan should be designed to achieve this goal,” and “Now is the time to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.” It is endorsed by 216 organizations (153 companies, 5 local governments, 6 universities and research institutes, 52 organizations and NGOs, etc.) (Annex 2). JCI Co-Representatives Takejiro Sueyoshi and Shigeo Kato sent this message and a list of endorsing organizations to Prime Minister Kishida and other ministers, along with a letter entitled “Respond to the sincere voices of the Japanese non-state actors and develop an ambitious NDC that we can be proud of as a developed country.”

The list of endorsing companies includes 71 TSE Prime listed companies and other Japan’s leading companies in a wide range of industries such as IT, machinery, steel, electronic and electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, transportation, food, retail, housing and construction, civil engineering, and finance. The Japan Climate Leader’s Partnership and the Network of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Business and Energy Future, which are business groups actively promoting climate action, were also named on the list. In addition, a diverse range of non-state actors, including local governments, consumer groups, a religious organization, universities and research institutes, NGOs/NPOs, and youth groups, have endorsed the message.

Release　PDF
Letter to the Government (Tentative Translation)　PDF
Annex1: JCI message　PDF
Annex2: List of endorsing organizations　PDF

Letter to the Government (Tentative Translation)

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan
Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Shunichi Suzuki, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services
Mr. Tetsushi Sakamoto, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Mr. Ken Saito, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Minister for Green Transformation
Mr. Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Mr. Shintaro Ito, Minister of the Environment
Mr. Taro Kono, Minister of State for Regulatory Reform

Respond to the sincere voices of the Japanese non-state actors
and develop an ambitious NDC that we can be proud of as a developed country.

The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) today released a message “JCI calls on the Japanese government to set an ambitious 2035 target that is consistent with the 1.5-degree goal.” (Annex 1). This message was endorsed by 216 organizations (153 companies, 5 local governments, 6 universities and research institutes, and 52 organizations and NGOs, etc.) (Annex 2).

Despite the short timeframe of the call, the number of endorsements has exceeded 200, and they are diverse. Endorsing organizations include companies from a wide range of industries such as IT, machinery, steel, electronics and electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, transportation, food, retail, housing and construction, civil engineering, and finance, including 71 TSE Prime listed companies. The Japan Climate Leaders Partnership and the Network of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Business and Energy Future, which are business groups actively promoting climate action, were also named on the list. In addition, a diverse range of non-state actors, including local governments, consumer groups, a religious organization, universities and research institutes, NGOs/NPOs, and youth groups, have endorsed the message. The number of consumers and members of the general public who belong to these organizations is enormous.

Notably, for the first time ever in Japan, 216 non-state actors, including some of the country’s leading companies, have come forward by name and called for the phase-out of coal-fired power generation by the year 2035. Significantly, they also call for the accelerated deployment of solar and wind power generation, citing figures that show it is possible to increase the share of renewable energy to 65-80% of the electricity supply in 2035. It is no exaggeration to say that domestic stakeholders’ calls for a shift in Japan’s climate policy are reaching a tipping point.

With the release of this JCI Message, we, the Co-Representatives of JCI, sincerely hope that the Japanese government will heed the voices of JCI members, who can be said to be the representatives of Japan, and redetermine its climate policy so that it will be able to play a major role in the global race to decarbonize, alongside the leading group in the fight against the climate crisis, while at the same time paving the way for the future of the country’s industries and economy.

July 8, 2024
Takejiro Sueyoshi and Shigeo Kato
Co-Representatives, Japan Climate Initiative

Annex1: JCI message

Message from JCI
JCI calls on the Japanese government to set an ambitious 2035 target that is consistent with the 1.5 ℃ goal.

Make this year the year of Japan’s energy policy transformation.
This year is an extremely important year that will determine Japan’s near future. This is because the 7th Strategic Energy Plan and the next NDC, greenhouse gas reduction targets, are expected to be formulated. As the international community intensifies its competition towards decarbonization in order to achieve the world’s 1.5 ℃ goal, Japan’s climate policies and the state of energy supply and demand will not only have a strong impact on people’s health and safety, but also shape the future of Japan’s industry and economy as well as its competitiveness and position in the international community.
Under these circumstances, Japanese non-governmental actors participating in the Japan Climate Initiative, JCI, call on the Japanese government to aim for the following and make this year a turning point in Japan’s energy policy.

Japan needs the NDC to reduce GHGs by 66% or more in 2035 and the 7th Strategic Energy Plan should be designed to achieve that goal.
In the midst of this critical situation referred to as global boiling, the international community is accelerating efforts to achieve the 1.5 ℃ goal. At COP28, the world committed to tripling the world’s installed renewable energy capacity and doubling the energy efficiency improvement rate by 2030, and in February of this year, the European Commission recommended a 90% greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.
Under these circumstances, unless Japan’s next NDC and the 7th Strategic Energy Plan are consistent with the 1.5 ℃ target, it is deeply concerning that Japan will not be able to continue to grow sustainably and demonstrate its international competitiveness, and Japan’s industry will be removed from the global value chain. Furthermore, Japan will no longer be able to protect the health, safety, and employment of the people who form the basis of the industry.
In response to this sense of crisis, we call on the Japanese government to make the next NDC at least 66% or higher compared to 2013 levels, which is equivalent to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s 2035 global GHGs reduction of 60% compared to 2019 levels. We also urge that the 7th Strategic Energy Plan should be formulated in an integrated manner with the NDC, through wide-ranging discussions backed by scientific knowledge, in an open forum that includes the energy demand side and the next generation.

Now is the time to improve energy efficiency and accelerate renewable energy deployment for quickly transitioning away from fossil fuels.
In order for Japan to reduce GHGs by 66% or more compared to 2013 levels by 2035, Japan must achieve its international commitment as a G7 member to fully or predominantly decarbonize the electricity sector by 2035. To this end, it is essential in the 7th Strategic Energy Plan to clarify the phase-out of coal-fired power generation by 2035, as well as to maximize the improvement of energy efficiency and the introduction of renewable energy.
In addition, Japan has already agreed to accelerate efforts to transition away from fossil fuels at COP28, and to phase out coal-fired power generation in the first half of 2030s at the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting in April this year. Therefore, the phase-out of coal-fired power generation by 2035 and the transition away from other fossil fuels as quickly as possible towards 2050 are international commitments that Japan must fulfill, and serve as the basis for the arguments of this proposal.
Various estimates based on scientific grounds show that Japan has sufficient potential to triple its installed renewable energy capacity, and that it is possible to increase the proportion of renewable energy in electricity to 65-80% by 2035.
In order to steadily fulfill these international commitments, we call on the Japanese government to urgently create a foundation for the ultimate improvement in energy efficiency in buildings and product development by making full use of already available technologies as well as the acceleration of the renewable energy deployment centered on solar and wind.

Participation from Japan at the forefront of the world’s efforts to decarbonize.
We believe that in order for Japan to achieve sustainable growth and decarbonization, it is necessary for diverse stakeholders to work together and share their knowledge and experience. JCI will deepen its collaboration with domestic and international non-state actors and governments to contribute to the realization of the 1.5 ℃ goal.

Annex2: List of Endorsing Organizations

List of endorsing organizations (alphabetical order)　
(Total 216:Companies: 153 (including bank & investors: 9) *names in bold are TSE Prime listed companies (71) Local Governments: 5, University & Research Institutions:6, Organizations/NGOs: 52 )

Companies (Total 153 (including bank & investors: 9) *names in bold are TSE Prime listed companies (71))

Bank & Investors (9)

Local governments (16)

University & Research Institutions (Total 6)

Organizations/NGOs (52)