April 24, 2021

Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Tamura Tomoko on April 23 at a press conference said that the JCP will press the Japanese government to impose a reduction target of more than 50% and to draw up a proactive action plan prior to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) slated for November.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, during the climate change summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden (April 22 and April 23), announced that Japan will cut Japan's GHG emissions by 46% by FY2030 from its FY2013 level.

Tamura criticized Japan's target for just adding one percent from the global average of 45% target set by the United Nations, adding that Japan should aim for at least a 50% target.

She said, "Japan should have a more ambitious goal. The EU and the U.S. have goals to reduce emissions by 55% and 50-52%, respectively. Japanese young people are calling for a reduction target of 60%. So, Japan should pursue its goal of at least 50%."

Referring to the project to construct coal-fired thermal power stations at 15 locations across Japan, Tamura said, "It is only natural for the international community to claim that Japan intends to spread CO2 around the world. Our party demands that Japan stop using electricity generated from coal-fired plants and change its energy policy to an energy-saving policy using renewables."