Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s new prime minister, will set a stricter climate target for Japan: by 2050, the country must be completely climate neutral. Of course, this will also have consequences for the car industry in the country.
Suga’s target is stricter than the 80 percent emission reduction that Japan had previously envisaged in 2050. After South Korea, Japan is the second Asian country to set itself this stricter target. Japan is the fifth largest in the world when it comes to CO2 emissions. Much of the energy in the country is still generated in coal-fired power stations. In addition, the industry in the country has a strong lobby, in which the automotive industry has a large share. This lobby has contributed to slowing down or weakening legislation and policy in favor of the climate, but that now seems to be changing.
Japanese car manufacturers are also working hard to electrify the range. Honda recently launched the roguish Honda E and is working on an electric SUV. Toyota focuses mainly on hydrogen, but is also looking for a wide range of EVs. Nissan, which can be considered a pioneer in this area with the Leaf, has recently introduced the Ariya to the public. All in all, the Japanese car industry is already taking the necessary steps, but may need to step up a gear while taking into account the new climate target.