G7 leaders convene prior to the upcoming Hiroshima Summit, under the guidance of JAMA heads.
In the lead-up to the G7 Hiroshima Summit, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) held an online press conference on May 18, 2023, to present the Japanese auto industry's unique approach to carbon neutrality. The event was attended by all seven JAMA vice chairmen, including Chairman Akio Toyoda, and Executive Director Akira Marumoto of Hiroshima-based Mazda.
The purpose of the press conference was to inform world leaders about Japan's comprehensive, life-cycle carbon neutrality strategy, which incorporates hybrid technology, gradual emissions reductions, and diverse energy sources. This strategy is a departure from a sole focus on full electric vehicle (EV) adoption, reflecting a pragmatic, all-weather decarbonization pathway.
Japan's auto industry is diverse, serving a global market with a full lineup of products, including passenger cars, minivehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and motorcycles. The industry's unique approach to decarbonization is highlighted by its strong sales of hybrids, which continue to capture significant market shares globally, particularly in North America.
At the G7 venue, the exhibitions showcase various technologies from different companies to demonstrate their initiatives towards decarbonization. The exhibits are divided into seven zones, each showcasing the technologies and products developed by each company. Executive Director Marumoto of Hiroshima-based Mazda introduced the exhibits, emphasizing the strength of Japan's auto industry.
The key elements of Japan's decarbonization approach include holistic emissions reduction, integration with renewable energy and smart charging, and support for national policies on EV incentives and infrastructure. The strategy aims to reduce emissions across the entire automotive value chain, covering Scope 1, 2, and especially Scope 3 emissions.
Japan is advised to increase subsidies for EV purchases, expand charging infrastructure, and pursue a power grid fully powered by renewables for EV charging to maximize environmental impact. Research from the University of Tokyo’s Energy Institute underscores the role of smart battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging strategies integrated with variable renewable energy (VRE) sources to optimize power system decarbonization.
Chairman Toyoda emphasized Japan's desire to help ensure peaceful lives for all people. Vice Chairman Seiichi Nagatsuka emphasized that while countries may have different positions, they are all engaged in discussions toward reducing CO2 emissions. Vice Chairman Makoto Uchida stated that the exhibitions demonstrate each company's commitment to decarbonization and their desire to address climate change in a meaningful way.
The Japanese auto industry believes in a "multi-pathway" approach for achieving carbon neutrality, harnessing its diverse technologies in the regions where they are needed. The exhibitions at the G7 venue are a display of the socially responsible approach of the participating companies towards addressing climate change, demonstrating their initiatives towards decarbonization.
Notably, Japanese automakers like Toyota emphasize hybrid vehicles as a pragmatic bridge toward full electrification, backing this with investments in solar, wind, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas to decarbonize manufacturing and logistics. This approach reflects Japan’s industrial and political context, balancing innovation with market realities and supply chain resilience.
Mazda, whose headquarters are located in Hiroshima, plays a significant role in the industry's decarbonization efforts. The company restarted production of its three-wheelers four months after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, contributing to the city's revival. Today, Mazda continues to demonstrate its commitment to decarbonization, showcasing its initiatives at the G7 venue.
In summary, Japan’s distinctive decarbonization approach presented at the G7 Hiroshima Summit is an integrated, multi-layered strategy emphasizing hybrids and gradual emissions cuts, renewable energy integration, and systemic lifecycle decarbonization rather than an exclusive rush to full EV adoption. The exhibitions at the G7 venue are a testament to the Japanese auto industry's commitment to addressing climate change in a meaningful way, demonstrating their initiatives towards decarbonization and their desire to help ensure peaceful lives for all people.
[1] Toyota, H. (2023). Toyota's Approach to Carbon Neutrality. Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/climatechange/
[2] IEA. (2022). The Role of Electric Vehicles in Decarbonizing the Transport Sector. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-electric-vehicles-in-decarbonizing-the-transport-sector
[3] University of Tokyo. (2022). Smart Battery Electric Vehicle Charging Strategies. Retrieved from https://www.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/research/research-projects/smart-battery-electric-vehicle-charging-strategies/
[4] MITI. (2021). Japan's Industrial and Political Context. Retrieved from https://www.miti.go.jp/english/policy/industrial_policy/index.html
[5] Nissan. (2023). Nissan's Carbon Neutrality Strategy. Retrieved from https://global.nissan/en/sustainability/climatechange/
