JAPAN PAVILION COP28

TOPICS Initiatives of the Japanese national government

Introducing initiatives of the Japanese national government to support Japan’s realization of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Detailed Category

Creating a Net Zero Carbon Society – Introduction of “Decarbonization Leading Areas”

In Japan, towards the target of net-zero emissions by 2050, we are promoting regional decarbonization that maximizes the use of local resources such as renewable energy, circulates the economy, simultaneously solves regional issues, and contributes to regional revitalization. In order to achieve this target, we will select at least 100 “Decarbonization Leading Areas” that aim to achieve net-zero emissions by FY 2030. In this way, we will solve local issues in various regions such as farming villages, mountain villages, fishing villages, remote islands, and urban areas, and show the direction of efforts toward decarbonization while improving the quality of life of residents, and achieve decarbonization in many regions before 2050.

  • Hokkaido Block

  • Tohoku Block

  • Kanto Block

  • Chubu Block

  • Kinki Block

  • Chugoku Block

  • Shikoku Block

  • Kyushu･Okinawa Block

Representative efforts of each block

The latest selection status

Decokatsu

  • Decokatsu (National Movement for New and Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonization)

    "Decokatsu" is the nickname of the new national movement which was created by combining “de” from decarbonization, "eco" from eco-friendly, and "katsu" meaning activity and life in Japanese.

    Japan launched the new national movement "Decokatsu" to encourage the public and consumers to change their behavior and lifestyles toward the achievement of the 2030 GHG emission reduction target and carbon neutrality in 2050. This movement presents an overall picture of people's future lives including clothing, food, housing, employment, transportation, and shopping, and proposes "Newly Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonized Society in 10 years." For this purpose, we are carrying out initiatives to create prosperous lives for people that will lead decarbonization in cooperation with local governments, companies, organizations, and others. Through "Decokatsu," we will stimulate new consumption and behavior, and create demand for decarbonized products and services in Japan and overseas.

    Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan

    DECOKATSU (National Movement for New and Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonization)
    National Movement for New and Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonization

Restoration in Fukushima

  • 12 years have passed.
    Fukushima, to the next environmental stage.

    12 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
    Here we introduce Fukushima “today”, where reconstruction is steadily progressing.

    Summer festival in Okuma, 2023
    Fukushima environmental rebranding campaign Respect for the natural environment and environmental education through sake production.

    The Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent accident at TEPCO‘s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (TEPCO’s FDNPS) released a large amount of radioactive materials into the atmosphere, making a significant impact on environment over a wide area and forcing many residents to evacuate.

    Over the past 12 years, with warm and continuous support of many people, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) has been engaged in environmental restoration projects such as decontamination on a scale and with methods that are unprecedented in the world. Working towards its final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture, we are developing technology to reduce the volume of removed soil and waste arising from decontamination work, and are implementing demonstration projects for recycling.

    In order to safely and steadily proceed with the decommissioning of TEPCO’s FDNPS, it is essential to dispose the ALPS treated water that is stored on the plant’s it’s premises. The discharge of ALPS treated water into the ocean began in August 2023. The MOEJ is conducting offshore environmental monitoring to confirm the status of radioactive materials in the environment.

    In Fukushima, the evacuation orders have been lifted one by one, and progress is being made in environmental restoration, town development and the promotion of new industries. Fukushima is continuing to evolve from its disaster past into the future.

    Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan

    https://fukushima-mirai.env.go.jp/cop28/en/