--- title: 350.org Japan calls for renewables, not coal power as crisis response date: 2026-03-27T10:56:38Z modified: 2026-03-27T10:56:38Z permalink: "https://350.org/press-release/350-org-japan-calls-for-renewables-not-coal-power-as-crisis-response/" type: press-release status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 175528763 author: ilang-ilangquijano --- [350.org](http://350.org/) Japan urged the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to accelerate deployment of renewable energy as a response to the energy crisis, and cautioned on temporarily lifting restrictions on coal power. Due to the Iran war, Japanese utilities are planning to raise tariffs, with household electricity bills projected to increase by JPY 15,000 (US$95) by April. As one of its responses, the government [plans](https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/iran-tensions/japan-to-temporarily-lift-coal-power-plant-curbs-over-hormuz-crisis) to increase coal use in power generation, including lifting utilization caps on inefficient coal plants. But [350.org](http://350.org/) Japan warns that even a short-term pivot to coal comes with higher costs and risks compared to renewables. [Data](https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/overcoming-fossil-lock-in-is-pivotal-for-asia-to-buffer-against-energy-shocks/) shows that the average levelised cost for coal is around US$76/MWh, while the cost of renewables such as wind and solar is around US$40/MWh, making coal costlier compared with renewables. Increasing Japan’s coal power capacity also relies heavily on coal imports – an unsustainable move given that coal-exporting countries like Indonesia are now prioritizing coal for domestic use and market prices for coal have also risen as a result of increased demand. **Masayoshi Iyoda,** [**350.org**](http://350.org/) **Japan Campaigner said:** _“The attempt to revitalize dirty coal power generation goes against Japan’s international commitment of ‘transitioning away from fossil fuels’ at COP28 and ‘phaseout of unabated coal power’ at the G7 summit. The cleaner, cheaper, and homegrown alternative to coal is already available. Japan should accelerate renewable energy deployment and improve energy efficiency, instead of continuing to rely on unstable fossil fuels and dangerous nuclear energy._ _Consumers have been at the mercy of imported fossil energy for far too long. The window of opportunity to permanently insulate Japan from oil and gas price shocks — and keep its climate commitments — is wide open. The Takaichi administration should take this opportunity, or risk falling behind further on its promises of energy independence and lower energy costs.”_ **Media contact:** Ilang-Ilang Quijano, [350.org](http://350.org/) Media Campaigner, , +639175810934