News analysis

Japan taking baby steps towards greener policies

Analysts say global pressure, falling costs of green tech, harsher climate behind moves

<p>Tokyo's skyline is seen from Shibuya Sky observation deck on June 24, 2020. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)</p> PHOTO: AFP
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Japan's recent adoption of greener policies is in part due to global pressure, environment observers say, noting encouraging signs amid the baby steps the country is taking to move from its heavy reliance on fossil fuels to renewables.

Mr Shin Furuno of the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change told The Straits Times that the recent progress has also been due to falling costs of renewable energy technologies and a greater expectation among the global community that Japan should be a regional leader in decarbonisation, given its technical sophistication.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 01, 2020, with the headline Japan taking baby steps towards greener policies. Subscribe