Japan's Metallurgy Towards Zero Carbon

As part of this ambitious policy, the Japanese steel industry will boldly tackle the goal of achieving zero carbon emissions, said President of the Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) Hashimoto. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, will maintain and strengthen the international competitiveness of Japanese industry. Industrial electricity prices, the basic infrastructure for the manufacturing industry, are currently the highest in the world and urgently needs to be addressed.

In terms of revising the energy baseline, this is an important decarbonization option, not only to halt the rapid rise in feed-in tariff charges that occurs after the maximum deployment of renewables, but also to re-establish nuclear energy production, which has been proven safe. However, for nuclear power, a new energy baseline will be formulated with a view to new expansion and replacement, as well as technological development, and that a growth strategy that integrates industrial policy and energy policy will be developed.

With the spread of infectious diseases around the world, protectionist and priority domestic trade policies have been consistently implemented, and in addition to lawsuits against trade laws such as anti-dumping and security measures, compulsory standards and licenses for the import of steel products, such non-customs measures also apply mainly to Asia. The Japan Iron and Steel Federation works with the government of Japan to ensure that bilateral government-led steel dialogues can be continued, liaises with the governments of major countries and regions and the steel industry, and prevents and eliminates trade friction. We will contribute to efforts to maintain and promote fair trade in steel.