What is Japan's pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C?
Current Situation
Emissions profile
In 2023, Japan’s GHG emissions decreased by 4% from the previous year, reaching a record low of 1068 MtCO2e (excluding LULUCF).1 This overall decline reflects economy-wide decarbonisation across all sectors in 2023, primarily driven by reduced manufacturing production, increased use of renewable energy, and the resumption of nuclear power plants.2
The power sector was the highest emitting sector in 2023, accounting for 34% of total emissions (excluding LULUCF), followed by industry at 30% (including energy use and industrial processes). Emissions from industrial energy use represented 23% of total emissions, while industrial process emissions accounted for 7%. Cement and steel industries are the key emitting industries in Japan.
The transport sector, the third largest emitter, contributed 17% to total emissions, achieving a modest annual decline of 0.7% in 2023.3 The buildings sector, which accounted for 10% of total emissions, continued its decline due to improved energy efficiency.4 The agricultural sector, responsible for a 3% of total emissions, primarily from methane, also showed a reduction.5
Japan's 2023 GHG emissions
excluding LULUCF MtCO₂e/yr
When graphs include LULUCF, the center value includes LULUCF if the sector is a net source of emissions and excludes it when the sector is a net sink of emissions. Individual sector rounding may lead to small inconsistencies in total sum.
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Graph description
Historical emissions per gas and per sector. Emissions data is presented in global warming potential (GWP) values from the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5).
Data References
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Energy
Japan’s economy is highly dependent on fossil fuels, which accounted for almost 86% of primary energy supply in 2023. Meanwhile, renewables supplied just 8% of Japan’s primary energy despite its significant solar and massive offshore wind potential.6 Oil, used mainly in transport, was the most used fuel source at around 38% of the energy mix in 2023.7
In 2023, coal made up 27% of the primary energy mix and was used mainly in power and industry. Japan has only committed to phasing out ‘inefficient’ coal plants by 2030, but this still leaves room for unabated coal in the energy and power mix towards FY 2040.8 Gas made up 21% of the energy mix, predominantly for power generation. Japan relies heavily on LNG imports and was the world’s second largest importer of fossil gas in 2023.9
In 2023, nuclear energy accounted for around 6% of Japan's energy mix. Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, all nuclear plants were suspended until 2015.10 Since then, Japan has revived 15 of its 33 operable reactors, including the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world’s largest nuclear power plant, which restarted in early 2026.11 With the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan targeting around 20% nuclear in the power mix by 2040 and the current government's pro-nuclear stance, the role of nuclear energy in Japan's energy system is expected to grow.12,13