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The recent resignation of Prime Minister Ishibahas further reaffirmed Japan’s turbulent political landscape, and the clear decline of the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party. On the climate and energy side, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has faced mounting criticism for opaque decision-making in recent policy processes. In this moment of uncertainty, Japan could strengthen trust in its climate governance by establishing an independent, evidence-based climate council.
Support for a climate council is slowly but surely building from politicians seeking credible third-party oversight, civil society groups demanding transparency and participatory processes, and businesses wanting fairer representation and clear long-term policies prioritising clean energy. A climate council can help to ensure the legitimacy and resilience of future climate and energy policies in Japan.
Climate councils support credible, science-driven policies
Countries urgently need to act to secure a path to a sustainable future. Strengthening climate governance is critical to making that happen. Climate framework laws, intergovernmental coordination bodies and public participation are essential features of credible climate governance.
Since 2008, more than 25 countries around the world have established climate councils to advise their governments on climate change, forming the International Climate Councils Network (ICCN). These bodies strengthen climate action – Australia’s Climate Change Authority for example, has provided sectoral pathways that hold government accountable and ensure transparent progress towards targets.
Japan should consider appointing experts to an independent national climate advisory council, with a strong secretariat to develop and implement locally relevant evidence-based policy. A climate council would help ensure that policymaking is strong and independent, and informed by scientific advice tailored to its own national context. A Japanese climate council could also pave the way for wider stakeholder engagement – as Chile’s Scientific Climate Council has achieved through supporting scientific convenings in the lead-up to the development of their NDC.
No One-Size-Fits-All model for countries
A climate council in Japan would need to be tailored to Japan’s political system, context and climate and energy policy settings. As the ICCN’s ‘How to Create a Climate Council Toolkit’ demonstrates, while there is no “one-size-fits-all” climate council model, existing councils provide good examples of possible formats and tasks.
The Republic of Korea’s Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, Co-chaired by Kim Sang‑hyup and the President, plays an instrumental role in intergovernmental coordination. Pakistan’s newly established Climate Authority has responsibility to manage a national climate fund. Japan’s climate council could address stakeholder engagement gaps and increase transparency, such as in New Zealand, Guatemala and the United Kingdom.
A Window for Political Opportunity in Japan
Recent events in Japan are likely to increase the interest toward the climate council model. Given Japan’s current political fragmentation, an independent climate advisory body would be extremely beneficial in providing non-partisan, expert climate advice across party lines. Additionally, with the latest update to the Strategic Energy Plan recently approved by Cabinet and the next revision still a few years away, this is a critical window to lay the groundwork for more just and transparent climate and energy policy decisions.
Some political parties have already started proposing the establishment of an independent climate advisory body in Japan. Komeito, the junior coalition partner to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has incorporated the establishment of a third-party climate organisation into their Peace Creation Vision proposal released in May 2025. Similarly, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) launched their “Future Generation Committee” concept in 2023. There is growing momentum behind an independent climate council creating space for consensus on climate policy across the political spectrum.
Youth and Businesses Broadening Support for an Independent Climate Council
Support for the climate council model in Japan is coming most prominently from youth. Japan Youth Council have advocated for more third-party organisations in law, including a climate council. They note that climate policy serving future generations requires objective policymaking and third-party verification.
But what about business? Japan’s corporate sector is world-leading in setting climate targets and active in transition planning. The We Mean Business Coalition found that 96% of Japanese business leaders desire a transition from fossil fuels to renewables, with almost six in ten hoping for a shift to a renewables-based power system from fossil fuels.
A climate council could gain important allies ready to back bold, science-based policies. Notably, Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (JCLP), a coalition of over 200 major Japanese companies, has highlighted that energy policy is often dominated by major energy suppliers, and has called for decision-making processes that enables wider participation, transparency and fairness.
A strategically aligned, collective call for a council is needed
Establishing an independent climate council would turn the current widespread calls for evidence-based action into a strong, lasting institution.
To maximise impact, proposals from political parties, youth organisations, and business groups need to strategically align with government policy cycles, particularly targeting next June’s “Big-Boned” policy framework that will shape post-April 2027 budgets and long-term policy direction.
Seizing this window to establish a climate council would bring together shared ambition to secure a climate-safe future for Japan and enhance its international credibility.
There are at least 25 climate councils around the world. The International Climate Councils Network (ICCN) supports and amplifies the work of a growing network of climate councils who are officially mandated to advise their governments on climate policy.
To learn more about opportunities to strengthen climate governance in Asia and Japan in particular, register for the ICCN webinar on Wednesday 8th October.
