Environmental groups call for Canada-Japan Renewable Energy-Based Just Energy Transition

March 2, 2025 (Tokyo and Ottawa) Friends of the Earth Japan and Friends of the Earth Canada join in calling on their respective Prime Ministers to recognize the compelling opportunity for genuine renewable energy leadership during their upcoming bilateral summit.

Ayumi Fukakusa, Executive Director of FoE Japan says “Canada and Japan have great potential to cooperate to advance a genuine, just energy transition. But for now, Japan and Canada are pushing LNG expansion, nuclear and extractivism. Amid the unstable geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region, it is important for countries such as Japan and Canada to demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change and to cooperate toward building a sustainable society.”

Recently in Canada, the country’s first LNG export terminal aimed at the Asian market has begun operations, and public and private sectors in Japan are deeply involved in the project. However, the project has been criticized for the violent suppression of indigenous opposition, its negative impact on climate change, and flaring incidents. Meanwhile, Japan resells about 40 percent of the LNG it handles and is already struggling with an oversupply of LNG.

John Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor of Friends of the Earth Canada says “Expanding LNG exports—and the accompanying methane emissions—is incompatible with the 1.5°C limit for climate protection and risks creating stranded assets that will burden both economies. The era of “bridge fuels" has passed. Renewable energy including offshore wind should provide the clean energy pillar for this mission.”

As leaders of two of the world’s most advanced economies, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Prime Minister Mark Carney have a unique opportunity to replace outdated fossil fuel dependencies with modern renewable energy. We look forward to a mission outcome that reflects this ambition.

Open Letter:Redefining the Canada-Japan Energy Partnership: Prioritizing Renewables, Decarbonization and a Just Transition over Fossil Fuel and Nuclear Expansion

March 1, 2026

Dear Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Takaichi,

On the occasion of the March 6–7 Canadian mission to Japan, Friends of the Earth (FoE) Japan and Friends of the Earth Canada urge your governments to move beyond the promotion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and nuclear power. Amid the unstable geopolitical situation surrounding the Indo-Pacific region, it is vital that Japan and Canada demonstrate leadership by catalyzing a partnership built on a genuine, science-based and justice-based transition to renewable energy.

While “clean energy" is a stated pillar of this mission, we are concerned that current discussions remain tethered to high-risk fossil fuel and nuclear infrastructure. To align with our shared climate commitments and democratic values, we propose focusing your discussions on three key areas:

1. Commit to a Phase-Out of Fossil Gas and LNG Expansion

Expanding LNG infrastructure risks locking both nations into decades of greenhouse gas emissions and creating stranded assets. LNG is primarily methane which is a greenhouse gas over 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide for the first 20 years of its presence in the atmosphere. Scientific consensus confirms that new fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. 

We urge your governments to:

• Refrain from supporting new LNG infrastructure domestically and internationally.
• Reject the framing of fossil gas as a “transition” or “bridge” fuel in bilateral cooperation.
• Prioritize the rapid deployment of renewable electricity and decentralized grids to build energy security on stable, affordable sources rather than volatile fossil fuel markets.

2. Pivot from Costly Nuclear and SMR Speculation to Scalable Renewables

Nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), carries significant life-cycle risks, unresolved waste challenges, and prohibitive costs. The 2023 cancellation of the NuScale project in Idaho—driven by rising costs exceeding $119/MWh (even with subsidies)—highlights that nuclear cannot compete with solar and battery storage, which now average closer to $45/MWh.

We urge your governments to:

• Redirect policy priority away from nuclear expansion and toward energy efficiency and proven renewable technologies.
• Avoid positioning SMRs as a climate solution, given their unresolved radioactive contamination risks and their potential as targets of conflict.
• Commit to a responsible decommissioning plan for existing nuclear facilities rather than diverting financial resources to new, high-cost reactors.

3. Ensure Critical Mineral Policies Protect Communities and Ecosystems

The transition to renewable technology must not replicate extractive models that exploit frontline communities and Indigenous Peoples. We have tracked Canadian and Japanese involvement in joint investments and developments that have harmed communities overseas. Supply chains must be built on social and ecological integrity rather than mere extractive speed.  

In accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), we urge you to:

• Mandate Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for all Indigenous and local communities affected by mining projects.
• Uphold the right to say “No” to mining developments that threaten biodiversity or local livelihoods.
• Promote circular economy approaches, prioritizing recycling and material demand reduction to prevent any new destructive extraction.

Conclusion

The upcoming summit presents an opportunity to demonstrate bold leadership aligned with climate science and the public interest. We call on you to chart a cooperative path centered on renewable expansion, fossil fuel phase-out, and the protection of community rights.

We look forward to a mission outcome that reflects this ambition.

Sincerely,

Ayumi Fukakusa, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth Japan 

Beatrice Olivastri, Chief Executive Officer,  Friends of the Earth Canada