TOKYO: Sumitomo Chemical Co. Chairman Masakazu Tokura has said he will lay out a decarbonization action plan for the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, after becoming its chairman Tuesday.

In a recent interview, Tokura expressed a wish to launch the Keidanren carbon neutrality action plan in a bid to boost decarbonization efforts of its members.

In view of the government’s goal of realizing carbon neutrality by 2050, Keidanren will release a road map, including plans for introducing innovative technologies, to show the business community’s resolve to promote emissions reduction, he said.

Keidanren is expected to announce the action plan in late October.

“Clenching our teeth, we must achieve” a government target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46 pct from the fiscal 2013 level by fiscal 2030, Tokura said.

In order to hit the target, Keidanren will utilize existing technologies, he added.

The group will advance the decarbonization of electricity power supplies, including by expanding the use of renewable energy.

Nuclear power “will still be indispensable in 2050,” Tokura said, pointing to a need to discuss restarting nuclear power plants and replacing old facilities with new ones in order to secure stable energy sources.

The country should work as one to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations of citizens, Tokura said.

He observed that the business world will also cooperate by giving inoculations at workplaces.

“While the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are facing very difficult times, it is also true that the events hold great significance,” Tokura said.

If the Tokyo Games take place, the events must be operated safely with solid operating methods, he said, calling for a right decision on the matter.

“We will figure out what will be best for the market economy to achieve a better society,” Tokura also said, voicing intentions to consider not only profits for the economic world but also for the entire society, in order to realize a sustainable capitalism.

“We will build a society that leaves no one behind and respects diversity,” through the promotion of digital transformation, he added.

Describing politics and economy as “inseparable,” Tokura said that Keidanren will work together with the government in the digital, green growth and economic security fields.

JIJI Press