Japan

The GMI Secretariat prepared this profile using publicly available information. If you are a delegate and wish to submit edits or additions, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@globalmethane.org.

Japan is a founding member of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), launched in 2004, and participates on the Coal Mines and Oil & Gas Subcommittees.

Japan is a regional and global leader in methane emissions reduction activities with a diverse framework of climate initiatives across all sectors. These measures include multiple greenhouse gas emissions data collection programs and the rollout of technology to mitigate methane in the agricultural and waste sectors. Japan has a strong international climate presence, and actively participates in collaborations with other countries and in international initiatives to address methane emissions and climate change.

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Methane Emissions Summary

Japan’s projected methane emissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2030 decreased by 11% compared to FY 2013. In FY 2013, the main methane emission sources were rice cultivation, enteric fermentation of livestock in the agriculture sector, and landfill waste. The largest projected reduction in FY 2030 is in the waste sector at 40%.

Estimated Methane Emissions by Sector, 1990-2030
Estimated Methane Emissions by Sector, 1990-2030

Projected Change in Methane Emissions by Sector, 2013 to 2030
 

Sector FY2013
(MtCO2e)		 FY2030
(projected (MtCO2e)		 Percent Change
Fuel Combustion 1.0 0.8 -14%
Fugitive Emissions from Fuels 0.8 0.7 -21%
Industrial Processes and Product Use 0.0 0.0 -19%
Agriculture 22.3 21.6 -3%
Waste 5.9 3.6 -40%
Total 30.0 26.7 -11%

Source: The Government of Japan, Eighth National Communication and Fifth Biennial Report, December 2022: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NC8_BR5-JPN-E%20%281%29.pdf

Methane Commitments and Plans

Methane mitigation efforts in Japan are guided by national and international commitments and plans. Japan also engages in many partnerships dedicated to addressing methane.

National

Japan has a national action plan and strategies to provide support for government and non-government climate initiatives.

International

Japan is an active participant in international efforts to address methane emissions and reach global climate targets.

  • Japan joined the European Union to launch the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26), committing to reducing global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. As a “Global Methane Pledge Champion,” Japan provides leadership to advance the work of the GMP.
  • Japan is a partner of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) since 2012, supporting activities to reduce methane and other short-lived climate pollutants.

Methane Actions

The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by Japan to address methane, organized by GMI sector.  

Oil & Gas Sector

Cross-Sector

  • Japan uses the “MIDORI Strategy” to reduce methane emissions in agriculture and food activities. (2021)
  • Japan launched the Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) series to observe the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane from space. The GOSAT data contributes to global climate change science and policy decisions. (2018)

Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions

Explore the following websites to learn more about the government ministries addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane emissions, in Japan.