Not long ago, Japan stood before the world pledging to become a paragon of decarbonization. Government papers were filled with talk of hydrogen corridors, offshore wind farms, and electric vehicle subsidies.

To satisfy international climate lobbies, Japan planned for years to phase out coal. Operations at coal-fired power plants were restricted to only 50 percent capacity. Political leaders spoke solemnly of a “moral duty” to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2050, pledging a 60 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and a 73 percent cut by 2040, both measured from 2013 levels.

But as geopolitical reality intruded, this stance dissipated.

Japan is among the world’s top five oil importers, importing more than 94 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East. When transit through the Strait of Hormuz was interrupted, the impact was immediate.

Officials introduced subsidies to keep regular gasoline prices from climbing beyond tolerable levels. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi quickly ordered the release of 80 million barrels from oil stockpiles, equivalent to about 45 days of domestic demand. Releases began in mid-March from sites across the country. A fuel once portrayed as the enemy in net zero rhetoric now receives protection to prevent economic disruption.

Japan is preparing to formalize a new energy‑first posture in a revised strategy to be unveiled........

© Townhall