In the recent Liberal Democratic Party leadership campaign, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s stance on energy-related issues has emerged as a significant topic for climate experts. As Japan’s new leader, Ishiba seems to align with former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on some climate change strategies, particularly regarding nuclear power use. However, Ishiba is charting a distinct path in promoting geothermal power, an underutilized energy source in Japan.
The upcoming United Nations climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11 to 22, will be a critical platform for Ishiba’s administration to showcase its climate policies. The focus will likely be on green finance and transitioning to renewable energy sources to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris agreement.
With pressure mounting to prioritize renewable energy and phase out fossil fuels, Ishiba has the opportunity to set ambitious and actionable goals for Japan’s energy transition. The push for geothermal energy highlights Japan’s untapped renewable energy potential and the need for significant investment and policy changes to scale up this resource.
As Japan navigates its energy transition under Ishiba’s leadership, the debate between pro-nuclear advocates and environmental activists intensifies, emphasizing the urgency to align with the latest scientific predictions to combat climate change effectively.