Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA) appears to be engaging in several strands of climate change and energy policy. JEMA appears to be somewhat consistent with IPCC, supporting the GHG emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5℃ target. It also appears to support renewable energy legislation. However, the organization has communicated a negative position on the energy transition, pushing for continued use of thermal power.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: JEMA appears to have limited and positive top-line messaging on climate policy. In the December 2023 “Report of Working Group to Study Value-Adding of Green Commercial Products” that JEMA contributed to, it supported GHG emissions reduction in line with the 1.5℃ target. In a position paper on the 7th Strategic Energy Plan draft, published in January 2025 JEMA appeared to back government support and legislation to respond to climate change.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: JEMA appears to be engaging positively with climate-related regulations, especially renewable energy policy in Japan. In the 7th Strategic Energy Plan position paper submitted to the Japanese Agency of Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) in June 2024, JEMA supported for government intervention for a transition towards renewables such as wind and hydropower. In the same paper, it called for support to achieve the 2030 renewable energy target, such as the creation of a mechanism to encourage investment in renewable energy. Separately, in the position paper submitted to the Energy Policy Opinion Box established by ANRE in September 2024, JEMA supported renewable energy legislation. Specifically, it endorsed the development of an environment for PPAs, policies for next-generation solar technology, the establishment of an industrial base for wind power, and the promotion of hydroelectric power generation.
Positioning on Energy Transition: JEMA appears to take an active and negative position on the energy transition policies in Japan. In January 2025, JEMA submitted two position papers on the GX 2040 vision and the 7th Strategic Energy Plan to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI): In the position paper on the GX 2040 vision, JEMA advocated for decarbonization of thermal power in Asian countries, but with some ambiguity around the pace of this transition. In Japan, it asked for hydropower to be included in the GX 2040 vision. It supported hydrogen infrastructure, without stating the need to fully decarbonize it, the intended use and production method. JEMA also advocated for thermal power in Japan, but it was unclear if it supported its decarbonization at the pace and extent that is aligned with IPCC guidelines. In the position paper on the 7th Strategic Energy Plan, JEMA supported the maximum use of nuclear energy and a system that increases the ratio of renewables in the energy mix. At the same time, JEMA also advocated for thermal power including oil while referencing CCS, and appeared to use support for CCS as a justification to increase or maintain the rate of fossil fuel use. In addition, JEMA also advocated for hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure, without stating the need to fully decarbonize, the intended use and production method.
In the recommendation paper on the 7th Strategic Energy Plan JEMA submitted to ANRE in June 2024, JEMA supported the accelerated implementation of nuclear and renewables including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass. At the same time, JEMA advocated for a continued role for thermal power in the energy mix, referencing the deployment of technologies such as CCS, hydrogen and ammonia co-firing, biomass, BECCS. However, JEMA did not clearly or specifically support a reduction in the role for thermal power in line with the IPCC's predicted role for the fuel type and technology.
InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate climate policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the association’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q2 (April - June) 2025.