Japan
Introduction
Japan is a founding member of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), launched in 2004, and participates on the Coal Mines and Oil & Gas Subcommittees.
Japan is a regional and global leader in methane emissions reduction activities with a diverse framework of climate initiatives across all sectors. These measures include multiple greenhouse gas emissions data collection programs and the rollout of technology to mitigate methane in the agricultural and waste sectors. Japan has a strong international climate presence, and actively participates in collaborations with other countries and in international initiatives to address methane emissions and climate change.
Japan is currently active on the Coal Mines Subcommittee and the Oil & Gas Subcommittee.
- Introduction
- Methane Emissions Summary
- Methane Commitments and Plans
- Methane Actions
- Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions
- GMI Delegates
Last Updated: October 2024
Methane Emissions Summary
Japan’s projected methane emissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2030 decreased by 11% compared to FY 2013. In FY 2013, the main methane emission sources were rice cultivation, enteric fermentation of livestock in the agriculture sector, and landfill waste. The largest projected reduction in FY 2030 is in the waste sector at 40%.
Estimated Methane Emissions by Sector, 1990-2030
Projected Change in Methane Emissions by Sector, 2013 to 2030
| Sector |
FY2013 (MtCO2e) |
FY2030 (projected (MtCO2e) |
Percent Change |
| Fuel Combustion | 1.0 | 0.8 | -14% |
| Fugitive Emissions from Fuels | 0.8 | 0.7 | -21% |
| Industrial Processes and Product Use | 0.0 | 0.0 | -19% |
| Agriculture | 22.3 | 21.6 | -3% |
| Waste | 5.9 | 3.6 | -40% |
| Total | 30.0 | 26.7 | -11% |
Source: The Government of Japan, Eighth National Communication and Fifth Biennial Report, December 2022: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NC8_BR5-JPN-E%20%281%29.pdf
Methane Commitments and Plans
Methane mitigation efforts in Japan are guided by national and international commitments and plans. Japan also engages in many partnerships dedicated to addressing methane.
National
- Japan published its Eighth National Communication and Fifth Biennial Report in December 2022 to document the country’s trends in greenhouse gas and methane emissions, and summarize the measures taken to address climate change.
- Japan’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) establishes the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in fiscal year 2030 and a reduction of methane emissions by 11%.
- Japan’s 2016 Plan for Global Warming Counter Measures set 2030 reduction targets for methane emissions.
International
- Japan joined the European Union to launch the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26), committing to reducing global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. As a “Global Methane Pledge Champion,” Japan provides leadership to advance the work of the GMP.
- Japan is a partner of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) since 2012, supporting activities to reduce methane and other short-lived climate pollutants.
Methane Actions
The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by Japan to address methane, organized by GMI sector.
Oil & Gas Sector
- The Coalition for LNG Emission Abatement toward Net-zero (CLEAN) gathers methane emissions data and supports methane mitigation in gas production processes. (2023)
Cross Sector
- Japan uses the “MIDORI Strategy” to reduce methane emissions in agriculture and food activities. (2021)
- Japan launched the Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) series to observe the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane from space. The GOSAT data contributes to global climate change science and policy decisions. (2018)
Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions
Explore the following websites to learn more about the government ministries addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane emissions, in Japan.
- Ministry of the Environment
- Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry
- Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
- New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism
- Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare
GMI Delegates
| Committee/Subcommittee | Delegate Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Coal Subcommittee | Shigeyuki Kimura | Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry |
| Oil & Gas Subcommittee | Masumi Ito | Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry |
| Oil & Gas Subcommittee | Yuhei Maruyama | Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry |