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Japan's Carbon Neutrality Policy: Current Status and Implications
JIN Chang Soo
Director of the Center for Japanese Studies,
The Sejong Institute
Executive Summary
■ Long-term low-carbon power generation strategy is required for the Paris Agreement in 2050
○ Energy conversion is a change in the economic ecosystem and brings about changes in international politics
○ The European case was aiming for a decarbonized society early on, but Japan has some suggestions to give to Korea as a case delayed by the energy conversion policy.
■ Changes in Japan's energy policy
○ After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the proportion of thermal power generation increased due to the total shutdown of nuclear power plant operations, and has been on a downward trend since 2013 when greenhouse gas emissions reached 1.41 billion tons
■ Prime Minister Suga's policy on carbon neutrality and priority issues
○ On October 26, 2020, he advocated the realization of a decarbonized society in his first policy speech, thinking that a carbonized society in 2050 will bring about economic and social change and lead to growth
○ Japan's renewable energy sector is less efficient than Europe's. Korea has no choice but to rely on the development of renewable energy technologies to limit its natural resources.
○ Japan promotes policies that allow the use of hydrogen in business toward hydrogen society. As a manufacturing powerhouse, Japan has a burden to aim for hydrogen society.
○ Nuclear power plants are forced to restart despite public distrust of safety. The reason for restarting nuclear power plants is that renewable energy has not increased and electricity prices and safety have been considered
■ Implications and Policy Suggestions to Korea
○ Must prepare with interest for the change in international politics due to the energy conversion.
○ Must take an active attitude in resource diplomacy.
○ Must review and present the direction of the new electric power industry after the reform of the electric power system and the case of the restructuring of the electric power market in major foreign countries for low carbon conversion
○ Need social ventilation regarding the burden of energy conversion costs.
○ Must positively deal with the introduction of electric vehicles and the conversion to a hydrogen society, considering their impact on related industries and local communities
※ This article is written based on the author’s personal opinions and does not reflect the views of the Sejong Institute.
※ This is a third party's unofficial translation of the original paper which was written in Korean. All references should be made to the original paper.