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4.80. (...) the SEP[the sixth Strategic Energy Plan] (...)also states that natural gas plays a central role as a power source that supplements renewable energy, while emitting the least amount of greenhouse gases among fossil fuels. (...)

4.84. With regard to the pricing and support scheme, in April 2022, the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Use of Renewable Energy Electricity (a revision of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Procurement of Renewable Energy Electricity by Electricity Utilities) entered into force.[46] The new Act introduced a feed-in premium (FIP) system, with a view to encouraging renewable energy producers' independence from the feed-in tariff (FIT) system while securing the investment incentives. Whereas the FIT system guarantees qualified producers that the generated renewable energy be purchased at fixed prices over the long term, the FIP system offers market-driven purchase prices that are composed of a fixed premium (subsidy) and market prices. The Government describes the FIP system as a transition measure until the renewable energy sector can be placed under the same competition environment with other energy sectors. (...)
[46] METI, Information Relating to the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Use of Renewable Energy Electricity. Viewed at: https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/category/saving_and_new/saiene/kaitori/FIP_index.html#fip_seido.

4.85. In July 2022, the new Act[the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Use of Renewable Energy Electricity] started to oblige solar-power generation operators authorized under the FIT/FIP systems to deposit a decommissioning reserve, in principle, with the Organization for Cross-Regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO). This external reserve system targets all the authorized operators with capacities of at least 10 kW and requires their deposits for 10 years before the systems cease to apply to respective projects. This measure was introduced to address public concerns that operators unlawfully dump or abandon the used solar panels after their projects.

4.105. (...) March 2020, the FSA[the Financial Services Agency] revised Japan's voluntary Stewardship Code for Institutional Investors, as part of a wider corporate governance reform.(...) Key changes reflected in the Revision Code include a stronger focus on sustainability by incorporating environmental, social, and governance factors; disclosure of reasons for votes on agenda items; and application of the Code to assets other than listed shares (such as corporate pension funds). (...)

4.117. (...) the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The MLIT represents Japan at the International Maritime Organization, which sets the worldwide standards for safety, security, and environmental norms for maritime transport.

4.119. Regarding the support regime, in 2020, Japan extended the "roll-over relief system" until the end of FY2022: it defers taxation of capital gains resulting from the sales of old vessels replaced by new and environmentally friendly ones. (...)The additional depreciation applicable to Japanese-flagged vessels fulfilling certain conditions, notably of environmental and high-technology natures, was also extended for two years until the end of FY2022.

4.124. (...) In addition, the MLIT[the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism] (...)is considering a certification system for decarbonization of port terminals.[80]
[80] MLIT, MLIT Considers a Certification System for Decarbonization of Ports.
Viewed at: https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/port04_hh_000352.html.

4.128. During the review period, the Civil Aeronautics Act was revised several times. (...)The 2022 amendments (promulgated and enforced on 10 June 2022) stipulate that the Minister shall formulate a basic policy for the promotion of aviation decarbonization and promote decarbonization initiatives by Japanese airlines with a view to promoting decarbonization in the aviation sector. (...)

4.129. The Airport Act was also revised during the review period. The 2022 amendment to the Act (promulgated and enforced on 10 June 2022) requires that airport managers make airport decarbonatization promotion plans and have them authorized by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. The plan describes how to: (i) develop solar power supplies within or around its own premises; and (ii) build new runways for airplanes to move efficiently on the ground. Japan aims to achieve carbon neutral at airports in their entirety by FY2050.

Table A3.3 Central government and IAA procurement, by service and by origin, 2019-20
(...)
No.: 17
Services: Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and other environmental protection
Total value (JPY 100 million): (2019)1236.1, (2020)0.0
Foreign share (%): (2019)766.9, (2020)0.5
(...)