Japan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
Japan’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Target
Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030
from its fiscal year 2013 levels, setting an ambitious target which is aligned with the longterm goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will continue strenuous
efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emission by 50 percent.
Table: Targets and estimates by greenhouse gases and other classifications*1(Unit: Million t-CO2)
Targets and estimates infiscal year 2030*1
Greenhouse gas emissions and removals

Fiscal year 2013

760

1,408

677

1,235

Industry289

463

Commercial and others

116

238

Residential

70

208

Transport

146

224

Energy conversion*2

56

106

Non-energy-related CO2

70.0

82.3

Methane (CH4)

26.7

30.0

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

17.8

21.4

Four gases incl. alternative CFC*3

21.8

39.1

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

14.5

32.1

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

4.2

3.3

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)

2.7

2.1

Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)

0.5

1.6

-47.7

—

Energy-related CO2

Greenhouse gas removals

Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

Japan aims to contribute to international emission
reductions and removals at the level of acumulative total of approximately 100 million tCO2 by fiscal year 2030 through public-private
collaborations. Japan will appropriately count theacquired credits to achieve its NDC.

*

1: Figures of target (or estimates in the case of energy-related CO2).
2: Excluding statistical discrepancy from power and heat allocation. For that reason, the total sum of the actual results by eachsector is not equal to the emissions of energy-related CO2.
*
3: Figures for the four kinds of greenhouse gases of HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and NF3 are calendar year values.
*1Information to facilitate clarity, transparency and understanding of nationally determined contributions, referred to in decision 1/CP.21, paragraph 28 (Decision 4/CMA.1 and Annex I)
1. Quantifiable information on the reference point (including, as appropriate, a base year):(a)Reference year(s), base year(s), reference period(s) or other starting

Fiscal year 2013

point(s);(b)

Quantifiable information on the reference indicators, their values in the

The total emissions in the base year of fiscal year 2013 amount to 1,408 million t-CO2 (basedreference year(s), base year(s), reference period(s) or other startingon the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report of Japan (The GHG inventory), submitted topoint(s), and, as applicable, in the target year;

the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter
UNFCCC) in April 2021 (final figures for fiscal year 2019)).
Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent, equivalent to reducing
emissions to 760 million t-CO2, in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels. Furthermore,
Japan will continue strenuous efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emission
by 50 percent from its fiscal year 2013 levels.

(c)

For strategies, plans and actions referred to in Article 4, paragraph 6, of

Not applicable.

the Paris Agreement, or polices and measures as components ofnationally determined contributions where paragraph 1(b) above is notapplicable, Parties to provide other relevant information;(d)Target relative to the reference indicator, expressed numerically, forexample in percentage or amount of reduction;

Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 from its
fiscal year 2013 levels, setting an ambitious target which is aligned with the long-term goal ofachieving net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will continue strenuous efforts in its challenge tomeet the lofty goal of cutting its emission by 50 percent.

(e)

Information on sources of data used in quantifying the reference
point(s);The total emissions in the base year (fiscal year 2013) written in the above are based on the
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report of Japan (The GHG inventory) submitted to the
UNFCCC Secretariat in April 2021.

(f)

Information on the circumstances under which the Party may update thevalues of the reference indicators.

The methods of estimation and the emissions in the base year are subject to further updates,
depending on, among others, the progress of future international negotiations on estimating andaccounting rules, the revision of various statistical data for annually reported figures, and the2review on estimation methods.
2. Time frames and/or periods for implementation:(a)Time frame and/or period for implementation, including start and end

From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2031

date, consistent with any further relevant decision adopted by the
Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to theParis Agreement (CMA);(b)

Whether it is a single-year or multi-year target, as applicable.

Single year target (fiscal year 2030)

3. Scope and coverage:(a)

General description of the target;

Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 from its
fiscal year 2013 levels, setting an ambitious target which is aligned with the long-term goal ofachieving net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will continue strenuous efforts in its challenge tomeet the lofty goal of cutting its emission by 50 percent.

(b)

Sectors, gases, categories and pools covered by the nationallydetermined contribution, including, as applicable, consistent with
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines;<Sectors of coverage>
All sectors and categories encompassing the following:(a) Energy- Fuel Combustion (Energy industries, Manufacturing industries and Construction, Transport,
Commercial/Institutional, Residential, Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing, and Other)- Fugitive emissions from fuels- CO2 transport and storage(b) Industrial processes and product use(c) Agriculture(d) Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)(e) Waste<Targeted gases>
Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),

3perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).
<Percentage of coverage>
100 percent(c)

How the Party has taken into consideration paragraph 31(c) and (d) ofdecision 1/CP.21;

Japan’s scope and coverage include all sectors of anthropogenic emissions and removals.
Also, they do not exclude the sources, sinks and activities which were included in the previous
NDC of Japan.

(d)Mitigation co-benefits resulting from Parties’ adaptation actions and/or

Not applicable.

economic diversification plans, including description of specificprojects, measures and initiatives of Parties’ adaptation actions and/or
economic diversification plans.
4. Planning processes:(a)

Information on the planning processes that the Party undertook to

At the joint meetings of the Mid- and Long-Term Climate Change Countermeasures

prepare its nationally determined contribution and, if available, on the

Subcommittee of the Global Environment Committee under the Central Environment Council andParty’s implementation plans, including, as appropriate:

the Working Group for Consideration of Global Warming Countermeasures of the Global
Environment Subcommittee of the Committee on industrial Science and Technology Policy andEnvironment under the Industrial Structural Council, the examination was conducted on the Planfor Global Warming Countermeasures, a comprehensive plan for the implementation of Japan’semissions reduction goal for the year 2030, in a transparent manner to the public, while holding
hearing from future generations and relevant ministries and agencies.
With regard to energy policy and energy mix, the examination was conducted in a transparent
manner to the public at the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy.
Through the above procedures, the Government prepared a draft which was adopted by the
Global Warming Prevention Headquarters.

(a) (i)

Domestic institutional arrangements, public participation andengagement with local communities and indigenous peoples, in a

Towards the achievement of a sustainable society, Japan is proactively working to incorporate
gender perspectives, including gender equal participation, into concrete actions, while aiming at

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gender-responsive manner;enhanced participation of women in policy decision-making processes for responding toenvironmental problems including climate change, in line with ongoing international trends.

(a) (ii)

Contextual matters, including, inter alia, as appropriate:(a) (ii) a

National circumstances, such as geography, climate, economy,
sustainable development and poverty eradication;

Please refer to Japan’s 7th National Communication (NC7) (2017) for geographical, climaticand economic situations of Japan.
Japan is implementing efforts towards the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). Please refer to Japan’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) for further
information on efforts for the SDGs by Japan.

(a) (ii) b

Best practices and experience related to the preparation of thenationally determined contribution;

Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero, that is, to realize carbon neutrality
by 2050, based on the idea that addressing climate change is no longer a constraint on economic
growth and that proactive climate change measures bring transformation of industrial structures aswell as its economy and society, leading to dynamic economic growth. By the Act Partially
Amending the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures (Act No. 54 of 2021)
which was enacted in 204th session of the Diet, net-zero by 2050 became a Basic Principle of theAct. The legislative amendment will enhance the continuity and predictability of policies andaccelerate efforts and investments as well as innovation for decarbonization towards not only theachievement of the mid-term target, but also the realization of a decarbonized society.
On top of that, Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year
2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels, setting an ambitious target which is aligned with the longterm goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will continue strenuous efforts in its
challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emissions by 50 percent. In order to create a virtuous
cycle of the economy and the environment and to realize robust growth toward its ambitious goal
for fiscal year 2030, Japan will put forward all possible efforts in all areas including by thoroughenergy efficiency measures, maximum introduction of renewable energy, as well as
decarbonization of public sectors and local communities. In food, agriculture, forestry, andfisheries industries, based on the “Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems, MeaDRI (Measures for5

achievement of Decarbonization and Resilience with Innovation) (decided by Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on May 12th, 2021),” Japan aims to enhance productivity
potentials and ensure sustainability in a compatible manner through innovation. Based on the“MLIT’s Green Challenge (decided by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on
July 6th, 2021),” Japan will steadily carry out efforts in cross-sectoral decarbonization in nationalland, urban and regional spheres. Japan will create new industries and jobs by proceeding efforts
in strategic transitions to a circular economy, which is necessary for decarbonization, as well as
through nature-based solutions (NbS).
Japan will continue its strenuous efforts towards 2030, and further towards 2050. Realizing
carbon-neutrality by 2050 and cutting emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 is certainly not
an easy task; it is therefore essential to position decarbonization as one of the main issues in allsocio-economic activities and to bring forward the transformation into sustainable and resilientsocio-economic systems. For those targets to be achieved, Japan will promote policies
contributing to growth by holding decarbonization as its pillar.
As already mentioned in (a) (i), specific examinations were conducted in a manner open to the
public, at the joint meetings of the Mid- and Long-Term Climate Change Countermeasures
Subcommittee of the Global Environment Committee under the Central Environment Council andthe Working Group for Consideration of Global Warming Countermeasure of the Global
Environment Subcommittee of the Committee on industrial Science and Technology Policy andEnvironment under the Industrial Structural Council, as well as at the Advisory Committee for
Natural Resources and Energy.
On July 17th, 2015, Japan submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)
to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Following that, on May 13th, 2016, Japan made a Cabinet Decisionon the Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures. Every year since the formulation of the plan,
the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters, led by the Prime Minister with all Cabinet
Ministers as its members, has made rigorous reviews and examinations on, among others, the state6

of progress in each countermeasure taken by the Government, by using the outcome in emission
reductions including figures by greenhouse gases and other classifications, and indicators toevaluate the progress in implementing countermeasures.
Specifically, by administering evaluations on each section of measures and policies andidentifying sections whose progress is delayed, the Government conducted examinations on,among others, how to improve progress in the identified sections. In so doing, the Government
considered not only the enhancement of measures and policies that are already included in thePlan for Global Warming Countermeasures but also the introduction of new measures andpolicies.
Also, with regard to the new target for fiscal year 2030, the Government will continue
progress management in a similar manner as mentioned in the above.
(a) (ii) c

Other contextual aspirations and priorities acknowledged when joining

Not applicable.

the Paris Agreement;(b)Specific information applicable to Parties, including regional economic

Not applicable.

integration organizations and their member States, that have reached anagreement to act jointly under Article 4, paragraph 2, of the Paris
Agreement, including the Parties that agreed to act jointly and the termsof the agreement, in accordance with Article 4, paragraphs 16–18, of
the Paris Agreement;(c)

How the Party’s preparation of its nationally determined contribution

Not applicable since the global stocktake has not been carried out.

has been informed by the outcomes of the global stocktake, in
accordance with Article 4, paragraph 9, of the Paris Agreement;(d)Each Party with a nationally determined contribution under Article 4 of

Not applicable.

the Paris Agreement that consists of adaptation action and/or economic
diversification plans resulting in mitigation co-benefits consistent with
Article 4, paragraph 7, of the Paris Agreement to submit information7on:(d) (i)

How the economic and social consequences of response measures have

Not applicable.

been considered in developing the nationally determined contribution;(d) (ii)

Specific projects, measures and activities to be implemented to

Not applicable.

contribute to mitigation co-benefits, including information on
adaptation plans that also yield mitigation co-benefits, which may
cover, but are not limited to, key sectors, such as energy, resources,
water resources, coastal resources, human settlements and urban
planning, agriculture and forestry; and economic diversification actions,which may cover, but are not limited to, sectors such as manufacturing
and industry, energy and mining, transport and communication,
construction, tourism, real estate, agriculture and fisheries.
5. Assumptions and methodological approaches, including those for estimating and accounting for anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and, as appropriate, removals:(a)Assumptions and methodological approaches used for accounting foranthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and removals corresponding<Sectors of coverage>
All sectors and categories encompassing the following:

to the Party’s nationally determined contribution, consistent with(a) Energy

decision 1/CP.21, paragraph 31, and accounting guidance adopted by- Fuel Combustion (Energy industries, Manufacturing industries and Construction, Transport,

the CMA;

Commercial/Institutional, Residential, Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing, and Other)- Fugitive emissions from fuels- CO2 transport and storage(b) Industrial processes and product use(c) Agriculture(d) Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)(e) Waste<Targeted gases>

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Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).
<Percentage of coverage>
100 percent<Assumptions and methodological approaches>
Methods of estimation are in line with the Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories prepared by the IPCC, and adopted by the COP.
The metrics used for the total GHG emissions and removals (CO2 equivalent) is the Global
Warming Potentials of a 100-year time horizon which were presented in the IPCC Fourth
Assessment Report.
Removals by measures for forest and other carbon sinks sector are accounted for in line withapproaches equivalent to those under the Kyoto Protocol.
These methods of estimation are subject to change depending on the progress of futureinternational negotiations on estimating and accounting rules.
(b)

(c)

Assumptions and methodological approaches used for accounting forAssumptions and methodological approaches for the implementation of policies and measures

the implementation of policies and measures or strategies in the

towards the achievement of Japan’s goals are included in the Plan for Global Warming

nationally determined contribution;

Countermeasures.

If applicable, information on how the Party will take into accountRefer to 5(d).

existing methods and guidance under the Convention to account foranthropogenic emissions and removals, in accordance with Article 4,paragraph 14, of the Paris Agreement, as appropriate;(d)

IPCC methodologies and metrics used for estimating anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions and removals;

Methods of estimations are in line with the Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories prepared by the IPCC, and adopted by the COP.
The metrics used for the total GHG emissions and removals (CO2 equivalent) is the Global

9Warming Potentials of a 100-year time horizon which were presented in the IPCC Fourth
Assessment Report.
These methods of estimation are subject to change depending on the progress of futureinternational negotiations on estimating and accounting rules.
(e)Sector-, category- or activity-specific assumptions, methodologies andapproaches consistent with IPCC guidance, as appropriate, including, asapplicable:(e) (i)Approach to addressing emissions and subsequent removals fromIn Japan, rules to exclude emissions from natural disturbances are not applied.

natural disturbances on managed lands;(e) (ii)

Approach used to account for emissions and removals from harvested
wood products;(e) (iii)

Approach used to address the effects of age-class structure in forests;

Japan estimates emissions and removals from annual carbon stock changes of harvested wood
products based on the production approach.
In Japan, removals by forests are estimated with consideration given to the difference inamounts of carbon accumulation due to age-class structure.

(f)Other assumptions and methodological approaches used forunderstanding the nationally determined contribution and, if applicable,
estimating corresponding emissions and removals, including:(f) (i)

How the reference indicators, baseline(s) and/or reference level(s),The reference indicators for Japan’s NDC are the total greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal year

including, where applicable, sector-, category- or activity-specific2013 published in the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report of Japan (The GHG inventory)reference levels, are constructed, including, for example, key

submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat in April 2021.

parameters, assumptions, definitions, methodologies, data sources andmodels used;(f) (ii)

For Parties with nationally determined contributions that contain non-The key parameters, assumptions, definitions, methodologies, data sources and models used toestimate emissions and removals are written in the aforementioned inventory.
Not applicable.

greenhouse-gas components, information on assumptions andmethodological approaches used in relation to those components, asapplicable;(f) (iii)

For climate forcers included in nationally determined contributions not

Not applicable.

10covered by IPCC guidelines, information on how the climate forcers are
estimated;(f) (iv)

Further technical information, as necessary;

Not applicable.

(g)

The intention to use voluntary cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris

Japan will establish and implement the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in order toAgreement, if applicable.

quantitatively evaluate contributions of Japan to greenhouse gas emission reductions andremovals which are achieved through the diffusion of, among others, leading decarbonizing
technologies, products, systems, services, and infrastructures as well as through theimplementation of measures in developing countries and others, and in order to use suchcontributions to achieve Japan’s NDC. By doing so, through public-private collaborations, Japanaims to secure accumulated emission reductions and removals at the level of approximately 100
million t-CO2 by fiscal year 2030. Japan will appropriately count the acquired credits to achieve
its NDC.
With regards to the JCM which Japan has initiated to establish, Japan secures environmental
integrity and the avoidance of double-counting in line with the international rules including theParis Agreement. Also, based on its experience in the JCM, Japan intends to lead international
discussions, thereby contributing to the development of appropriate international rules for the useof market mechanisms.
Furthermore, Japan will also make proactive efforts in the area of international cooperation topromote decarbonization and to improve resilience in developing countries and others, includingfrom developing policies and institutional platforms to promoting sector- and city-level efforts aswell as facilitating technology diffusion.

6. How the Party considers that its nationally determined contribution is fair and ambitious in the light of its national circumstances:(a)

How the Party considers that its nationally determined contribution isfair and ambitious in the light of its national circumstances;

Set as an ambitious target which is aligned with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero by
2050, Japan’s new goal will certainly not be an easy task as Japan would raise its previous target
by over 70 percent. Nonetheless, as a nation which underpins manufacturing in the world, Japan isready to demonstrate its leadership for world-wide decarbonization by defining a top-level11ambitious target befitting to a next growth strategy.
In promoting implementation of global warming countermeasures, Japan aims to advancepolicy measures to contribute to integrated improvement in environment, economy and society, byutilizing local resources, technological innovation and ingenuity, which could also provide
solutions for challenges including economic vitalization, job creation and region-specificproblems in the country.
In light of the recognition that we are living in a major turning point of the era, what isrequired is not to simply return to the world before the COVID-19 pandemic, but to realize atransformation to a sustainable and resilient social system. Based on the declaration for net-zeroby 2050, Japan will strongly promote the “re-design” of its economy and society to make itsustainable and resilient, through accelerating the three types of transitions, namely towards “adecarbonized society,” “a circular economy” and “a decentralized society.”(b)

Fairness considerations, including reflecting on equity;

Japan’s target is highly transparent and concrete, as it has been drawn up by accumulatingconcrete policies and measures for major sectors with clear breakdowns. Each Party’s submission
and sharing of information on each sector in this manner would contribute to improving
transparency, ensuring fairness, and also enabling effective reviews. This would promote sectorby-sector actions, which would lead to fair and efficient reductions of global emissions.

(c)

How the Party has addressed Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Paris

Refer to 6(a).

Agreement;(d)

How the Party has addressed Article 4, paragraph 4, of the Paris

Japan’s NDC is an economy-wide absolute emission reduction target.

Agreement;(e)

How the Party has addressed Article 4, paragraph 6, of the Paris

Not applicable.

Agreement.
7. How the nationally determined contribution contributes towards achieving the objective of the Convention as set out in its Article 2:(a)

How the nationally determined contribution contributes towards

Refer to 7(b).

achieving the objective of the Convention as set out in its Article 2;

Japan’s enhanced NDC and its efforts towards the achievement of net-zero by 2050 contribute12

to the objective of the Convention as set out in its Article 2 to achieve stabilization of greenhousegas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system.
(b)

How the nationally determined contribution contributes towards Article

Japan’s enhanced NDC is consistent with the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement as set

2, paragraph 1(a) and Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement.

out in its Article 2, paragraph 1 (a), to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well
below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to
1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Furthermore, this NDC is aligned with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero by 2050, andcontributes towards the Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement, which stipulates that
Parties aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and toundertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with best available science, so as to achieve abalance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gasesin the second half of this century.

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