About Environment

— Latest update: June 2025 —

Japan is actively working toward a more sustainable future, guided by its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In recent years, the country has introduced ambitious policies such as the Green Growth Strategy and the Green Transformation (GX) policy framework, which aim to decarbonize key sectors while supporting economic revitalization.

These policy shifts are starting to show measurable results. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for an estimated 25.7 percent of Japan’s total electricity generation, up from 22.7 percent in 2022. Solar power led the increase, contributing 11.2 percent, while hydropower reached 7.5 percent and biomass rose to 5.7 percent. However, fossil fuels still accounted for 66.6 percent of the energy mix, and Japan remains the world’s fifth-largest greenhouse gas emitter, with net emissions totaling 1,017 million tons of carbon dioxide in fiscal year 2023.

Air pollution, marine contamination, and plastic waste continue to pose significant domestic environmental challenges, alongside newer pressures such as increased PM2.5 concentrations and the eutrophication of major water bodies. In addition, Japan faces ongoing environmental consequences from past disasters, most notably, the long-term recovery and decontamination efforts following the Fukushima nuclear accident. The government has committed to completing the final disposal of contaminated waste by 2045, relocating it outside Fukushima Prefecture.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of Japan’s environmental policies, sectoral approaches, green market trends, and international collaborations.

International Energy Agency, “Japan 2021 Energy Policy Review”, 2021
Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, 2023 Share of Electricity from Renewable Energy Resources in Japan [Preliminary Report], 2024
Ministry of Environment,  White Paper on the Environment, Recycling-Oriented Society, and Biodiversity (in Japanese) , 2023
Ministry of Environment, Japan’s National Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals in FY 2023, 2025

Table of Contents

• Overview
  • Carbon neutrality goal by 2050
  • The Green Growth Strategy
  • Basic policy for the Green Transformation  (GX)
• Sixth Basic Environmental Plan
  • The concept of Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere
• Sectors
  • Air pollution control
  • Water and marine pollution control
  • Plastic waste control
• Overview of Green market opportunities and evolution
• Eco-Mark
• EU-Japan cooperation policies on sustainable development and environment
  • Economic Partnership Agreement
  • EU-Japan Green Alliance
• Expert Reports & Webinars
• Annual Reports
• Relevant Organisations and Trade Fairs