Japan begins discussions on carbon pricing framework
Carbon pricing in Japan could focus on policy mix involving carbon tax, emissions trading, subsidies
- As part of global moves toward reducing carbon emissions, attention will likely focus on the debate surrounding carbon pricing in 2021.
- While the overall shape of Japan's carbon pricing scheme is unclear at this point, we expect it to focus on a policy mix that combines a carbon tax, emissions trading scheme, and subsidy programs.
- What is the potential economic impact of carbon pricing? We analyzed how it might affect the earnings of Japanese businesses.
Discussions begin on full-scale launch of carbon pricing
We expect carbon pricing to be a global theme in 2021 given its key role in moves to decarbonize. Progress with the debate on carbon pricing in Japan is a response to the global trend toward reducing carbon emissions. Carbon pricing can be broadly divided into explicit and implicit carbon pricing. Globally, the debate on explicit carbon pricing (particularly carbon taxation and emissions trading schemes) has advanced the furthest. While carbon taxes can be easily applied even to SMEs, it is doubtful how effective they are in lowering emissions. We think emissions trading schemes will inevitably be used mainly by large companies that are able to monitor their emissions, but we expect them to be cost effective and reliably translate into lower emissions. The two schemes can also be combined.
MOE, METI launching debate on carbon pricing
In the past, Japan had a strong presence as an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy. However, Japan's carbon productivity (GDP/carbon emissions) has barely improved since the 1990s. During this period, the US and Europe steadily increased their carbon productivity, with a particularly marked improvement since the 2010s.
In Japan, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have begun discussions on carbon pricing. METI, which has the authority to introduce subsidies to overcome industry reluctance about carbon pricing, appears to have followed on from previous MOE discussions. While the overall shape of Japan's prospective carbon pricing scheme is unclear at this point, we expect it to focus strongly on a policy mix that combines a carbon tax, emissions trading scheme, and subsidy programs.
Potential earnings impact from carbon pricing
The impact of carbon pricing on corporate earnings will depend on the details of the scheme. The government may also study the quantitative impact on corporate earnings in future. A simple estimate based on carbon emissions versus profit levels suggests that iron & steel, ceramic, stone and clay products, education and learning support (including universities), and pulp, paper & paper products could see the largest impact on profits.
We think Japanese industries in general will feel a smaller impact than other countries from a carbon border adjustment mechanism, though this will depend on the scheme's structure. We think measures to reduce the financial burden on individual industries will be key to full-scale carbon pricing implementation. Interest in technology for monitoring and preventing data falsification could also increase if Japan's emissions trading system takes off in earnest
Read our full report here.
Contributor
Kohei Okazaki
Senior Japan Economist
Masaki Kuwahara
Senior Economist, Japan
Takashi Miwa
Chief Japan Economist
Masaki Motomura
Senior Equity Strategist
Juichi Wako
Head of ESG Team, Japan
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