FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2024
Contact: Makiko Arima, Oil Change International – makiko@priceofoil.org
TOKYO – In response to Australian Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King’s meetings with major Japanese fossil fuel companies at the Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference (October 23-25), members of the Fossil Free Japan coalition issued the following statements:
Yuki Tanabe, Program Director, Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES), said:
“The Australian government should not proceed with new natural gas extraction and LNG export projects. Due to Japan’s rapid population decline, Japan’s domestic gas demand is expected to decline, and renewable energy has become an affordable option for Asian countries, so the shift to high-cost and unsustainable gas-fired power generation is unlikely to proceed. As a result, huge investments in Australian natural gas mining and LNG export projects will become stranded assets.”
Mia Watanabe, Japan Finance Campaigner, Oil Change International, said:
“Japan does not need any new Australian gas. Our gas companies already have a surplus problem and countries in Asia are rapidly transitioning to cheaper, cleaner renewables.
“As Japan’s closest trading partner and largest provider of gas, Australia has a responsibility to help Japan phase out fossil fuels for good.
“To show climate leadership and strengthen regional energy security, Minister King must use her position to advocate for Asia’s swift transition to renewable energy.”