Japanese corporates and government policies prioritize global LNG influence over Asia’s energy transition

This commentary first appeared in The Japan Times: “The double standard of Japan’s energy companies abroad”

Japan’s largest gas utility, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., recently announced a roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality in its business operations by 2050. The plan involves interim targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2022 levels by 60% by 2040, largely through renewables deployment and replacing liquified natural gas (LNG) with e-methane. 

However, the roadmap applies only to local operations despite the company’s…