Business / Economy Apr 15, 2021

Japan joins U.S. in urging China to accelerate climate action

China's "air pollution control could directly affect our people’s health and society," said Japan's Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

Business / Economy | Remembering 3/11 Mar 8, 2021

To secure a green future, Japan must reckon with its nuclear past

The government panel shaping the nation's energy future sees the restart of almost every reactor halted after meltdowns in 2011 as necessary to meet climate goals.

National Mar 6, 2021

Fukushima plant owner says nuclear power needed to hit green goal

Tepco chief says nuclear energy is indispensable for the company to curb CO2 emissions 50% by fiscal 2030 from 2013 levels as boosting capacity of renewables takes time.

Business / Corporate Nov 11, 2020

Toshiba to end construction of new coal-fired power plants

The engineering and technology giant aims to reduce the group's greenhouse gas emissions across all operational stages by 50% from the fiscal 2019 level by fiscal 2030.

Business Oct 30, 2020

Japan net zero plan hits speed bump as small utilities balk

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. and Shikoku Electric Power Co. said this week they can’t set deadlines to become emissions neutral because it’s too costly.

Business / Financial Markets Oct 13, 2020

Buffett-led share price boom short-lived for most Japan trading firms

The August announcement, among the largest investments ever made by Buffett in Japan, boosted investor interest in the trading companies.

Business / Corporate Aug 31, 2020

Berkshire Hathaway takes stakes topping $6 billion in Japan's top five trading companies

Shares in the trading houses leaped on news of the foray, one of billionaire Warren Buffett's biggest in Asia’s second-largest economy.

Business Feb 10, 2020

Energy markets need winter, and climate change is taking it away

Even before the deadly coronavirus struck, another menace confronted the global energy industry: the warmest winter anyone can remember. Russia's winter was so balmy that snow was trucked into downtown Moscow for New Year, and bears came out of hibernation. In Japan, ski competitions were ...

National Oct 15, 2019

Hidden gold and 'murky' payoffs threaten Japan's nuclear revival

A payoff scandal has struck Japan's nuclear world, threatening to delay the restart of idled reactors in what's becoming the industry's biggest crisis since the Fukushima meltdowns of 2011. The issue, which emerged at the end of last month, centers around how an influential municipal ...

Business May 16, 2019

Forecast of a cooler summer in Asia may add to expected LNG glut

Don't count on a summer heat wave to rescue Asia's liquefied natural gas prices. Weather forecasts signal lackluster demand in the largest importing region, raising prospects a global glut will deepen. Temperatures across North Asia this summer will be cooler than a year ago, according ...