Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

8:37 to 8:46 a.m.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
In front of the Cabinet Room, 2nd floor, National Diet Building

Opening Remarks

Cabinet Decisions on the GX2040 Vision, Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, and Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures

At the Cabinet Meeting today, three Cabinet Decisions were made on the GX2040 Vision, Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, and Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures.

The GX2040 Vision shows the medium- to long-term direction, including ideal approaches to new industrial structures and industrial locations, aiming to improve the predictability of investment for achieving GX.

The Seventh Strategic Energy Plan aims to develop a power generation mix that does not overly depend on specific energy sources or fuel sources and also shows that Japan should make the maximum use of decarbonized energy sources.

The Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures sets out new emission reduction targets for greenhouse gases, namely a 60% reduction in FY2035 and a 73% reduction in FY2040.

For detailed information, please make inquiries with the administrative staff.

Question-and-Answer Session

Determination to accelerate decarbonization

Q: I would like to ask you about the Strategic Energy Plan and the Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures, which you mentioned at the opening remarks. President Trump of the United States is promoting a return to fossil fuels and shows a policy of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. In light of this, could you comment again on Japan’s determination to accelerate decarbonization?

A: I believe that we need to continue to pay close attention to the developments in the United States. I also recognize that the entire world still needs to work on decarbonization. Countries around the world, including the United States, have been significantly investing in decarbonized energy sources to supply data centers with electricity and also working to decarbonize their entire supply chains. As these countries advance efforts for striking a balance between decarbonization and the strengthening of industrial competitiveness, Japan, too, should steadily advance its efforts for GX, or else Japan will lose its industrial competitiveness.

Based on the GX2040 Vision and Strategic Energy Plan, on which Cabinet Decisions were made today, we would like to work out the specifics of related measures and aim to achieve a stable energy supply, economic growth, and decarbonization at the same time.

U.S. policy of raising tariffs on automobiles

Q: I would like to ask you about a topic concerning the United States, too. President Trump has indicated a policy of raising tariffs on automobiles around April 2. Could you comment on the policy that the Government of Japan may take to address this and your views on the impact on the Japanese automobile industry if the tariffs are increased?

A: As you all know, the automobile industry is one of the key industries in Japan. Since we are not yet sure of the details of the U.S. measures, I would like to refrain from making comments on such impact today as it would be premature.

For now, while we carefully examine the specific details of the measures that will be uncovered going forward and their impacts on Japan, we would like to make appropriate responses, bearing in mind the importance of the automobile industry.

Based on this, the Government of Japan has already been communicating with the U.S. side regarding this matter.

Q: I have a question related to the tariffs on automobiles mentioned now. You said that Japan and the United States have already started discussions. During his first presidency, Mr. Trump concluded a Japan-United States trade agreement with then-Prime Minister Abe of Japan. I understand that this agreement sets out a promise that no additional tariffs would be imposed as long as the trade agreement was sincerely implemented. Could you please tell us your thoughts on whether or not the current government still considers this promise valid?

A: You asked two questions. First, regarding the ongoing communication between Japan and the United States, we have been communicating with the United States by exchanging opinions between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Munich. Second, I understand the background to the points you asked regarding Section 232. As we are currently not sure of the details of the measures that the United States intends to take this time, I recognize that we first need to carefully examine the specific details of such measures that will be uncovered going forward and their impacts on Japan.

Based on this, and bearing in mind the importance of the automobile industry, we should make appropriate responses. This is my answer to the question today.

The Seventh Strategic Energy Plan

Q: I would like to ask you about the public comments on the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan.

According to the announcement published yesterday, METI received 41,000 comments, which is a very large number. As I read the details of the comments, I found that many people oppose the promotion of nuclear power and demand the retention of the expression of “reducing dependence on nuclear power.” Could you offer your views on the fact that METI received a large number of public comments as well as on these opinions?

A: Regarding the public comments this time, we received opinions both for and against the government’s proposal. We also received various opinions on a wide range of issues, including nuclear power, renewable energy, and thermal power. I would like you to make inquiries with the administrative staff for detailed information, but I will say that we made the necessary revisions when reflecting these opinions in the plan, such as adding the phrase that “Japan needs to seriously consider people’s concern over nuclear safety and progress in the back-end issues.”

Regarding the details, which the councils thoroughly discussed at the past meetings, we decided to maintain the general framework of the government’s proposal. We will continue to work on promoting the energy policy while carefully listening to people’s opinions.

In that sense, as for my views on the many opinions, I believe that the fact that we received so many opinions represents people’s strong interest in the energy policy. Energy is the foundation of people’s everyday lives and economic activities, and we will continue to advance the energy policy while listening to people’s opinions.