Japan's solar growth stalls as fossil fuel subsidies rise, reversing climate progress | Carbon Credit News

Japan was once a global leader in solar energy, but a decade of policy shifts has stalled its progress. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government cut subsidies for utility-scale solar while increasing support for coal, LNG, ammonia co-firing, and carbon capture. As a result, Japan's solar capacity additions fell from 12 GW in 2016 to under 4 GW in 2026, and the country is moving away from its 2030 emissions targets. Globally, solar and wind now supply 19% of electricity, with costs dropping 89% for solar since 2010. Poorer nations like India and Pakistan are leapfrogging fossil fuels. Japan, however, is choosing higher-cost fossil power over cheaper renewables, undermining its own economic and climate goals. The article provides a detailed comparison of global renewable growth versus Japan's stagnation.