March 2, 2025 (Tokyo and Ottawa) Friends of the Earth Japan and Friends of the Earth Canada join in calling on their respective Prime Ministers to recognize the compelling opportunity for genuine renewable energy leadership during their upcoming bilateral summit.

Ayumi Fukakusa, Executive Director of FoE Japan says “Canada and Japan have great potential to cooperate to advance a genuine, just energy transition. But for now, Japan and Canada are pushing LNG expansion, nuclear and extractivism. Amid the unstable geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region, it is important for countries such as Japan and Canada to demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change and to cooperate toward building a sustainable society.”

Recently in Canada, the country’s first LNG export terminal aimed at the Asian market has begun operations, and public and private sectors in Japan are deeply involved in the project. However, the project has been criticized for the violent suppression of indigenous opposition, its negative impact on climate change, and flaring incidents. Meanwhile, Japan resells about 40 percent of the LNG it handles and is already struggling with an oversupply of LNG.

John Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor of Friends of the Earth Canada says “Expanding LNG exports—and the accompanying methane emissions—is incompatible with the 1.5°C limit for climate protection and risks creating stranded assets that will burden both economies. The era of “bridge fuels” has passed. Renewable energy including offshore wind should provide the clean energy pillar for this mission.”

As leaders of two of the world’s most advanced economies, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Prime Minister Mark Carney have a unique opportunity to replace outdated fossil fuel dependencies with modern renewable energy. We look forward to a mission outcome that reflects this ambition.

Read: Joint Open Letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

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For further information, contact

In Japan: Ayumi Fukakusa, Climate Change and Energy Campaigner/Executive Director, FoE Japan, info@foejapan.org, +81-80-6917-0794

In Canada: John Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor, Friends of the Earth Canada – johnbennett.communications <at>gmail.com +1 (613)291-6888