Climate Lobbying Overview: The Real Estate Companies Association of Japan (RECAJ) has some strategic engagement with climate-related policy, generally supporting energy efficiency legislation, particularly Net Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) and Net Zero Energy Houses (ZEHs), as well as emissions standards within the industry. It appears to hold mixed positions on the energy transition, supporting renewable energy and measures to decarbonize the industry, with some exceptions.

Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: RECAJ appears to have positive top-line messaging on climate change policy, although with some ambiguous positions. It appeared to support the goals of the Paris Agreement in its Environment Action Plan, published in April 2021. On its website in January 2022, RECAJ President Masanobu Komoda supported the achievement of Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. Similarly, in a statement on the website in November 2021, President Komoda expressed hopes for Prime Minister Kishida’s government to resolve carbon neutrality by 2050. On the other hand, RECAJ’s public relations magazines published in April 2022 and November 2021 supported emissions reductions without specifying a date for the achievement of net-zero emissions.

In a policy paper published on its website in August 2022, RECAJ requested a wide range of policies toward the realization of 2050 carbon neutrality. In addition, in a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) hearing in April 2021, RECAJ requested that the government “further strengthen” actions toward “a carbon-free society.” In regards to carbon pricing, RECAJ stated in its FY2022 Business Plan, published in March 2022, that it will “take flexible actions” in response to issues such as carbon pricing, but did not specify a position. RECAJ has not recently appeared to state a position on climate change science.

Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: RECAJ has appeared to hold positive positions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets and emissions trading in recent years, and has advocated for policies to support energy efficiency in buildings and housing. In its FY2022 Business Plan, published in March 2022, RECAJ stated that it will review its existing targets and consider setting additional targets for the industry in light of the Japanese government’s increased GHG emissions targets. In policy requests published on its website in August 2022, RECAJ requested measures to support businesses in the cap and trade system in Tokyo. In the same policy requests, RECAJ supported the “acceleration” of Net Zero Energy Building (ZEB) and Net Zero Energy House (ZEH) initiatives, as well as “effective energy efficiency and conservation policies and standards.” Meanwhile, the same document also requested “careful consideration of the actual situation” in response to the potential strengthening of Tokyo’s energy efficiency standards, appearing unclear on this. However, RECAJ President Komoda supported energy efficiency legislation and incentives for ZEB and ZEH in statements on RECAJ’s website in January 2022 and December 2021. At a MLIT hearing in April 2021, RECAJ requested support for "high-efficiency, energy-saving building materials,” and at a METI hearing in the same month, RECAJ appeared to also support energy demand management legislation, calling for incentives and information for consumers regarding efforts related to energy-saving and decarbonization in the national policy.

RECAJ appears to take a broadly positive position on renewable energy policy, with some minor exceptions. In its policy requests published on its website in August 2022, RECAJ requested measures to “accelerate the introduction of renewable energy”, including support for storage batteries and new renewable energy facilities. In a METI hearing in April 2021, RECAJ requested increased incentives and consumer information on renewable energy “as a national policy.” In discussions on mandatory installations of solar panels in a MLIT hearing in April 2021, RECAJ requested cost reduction measures and the promotion of installation in public buildings. Subsequently, however, in a hearing with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in August 2022 on mandatory solar panels, RECAJ requested further discussions and “reasonable” methods.

Positioning on Energy Transition: RECAJ appears to hold mixed positions on the energy transition. In its policy requests published on its website in August 2022, RECAJ supported measures to decarbonize the real estate industry, including the accelerated introduction of renewable energy in cities and buildings and mandatory installation of charging facilities for electric vehicles (EVs). It also supported an increase in renewable energy and hydrogen, but did not specify a position on decarbonizing hydrogen production. In a hearing with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in August 2022, RECAJ requested increased government support to meet EV infrastructure standards, but alongside temporary exemptions to the standards. On the other hand, in a statement on RECAJ’s website in January 2022, President Komoda supported the expansion of support programs to decarbonize the housing and building sector. In its policy requests published on its website in July 2021, RECAJ supported measures to make renewables the main power source in buildings and urban development.

InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate climate policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the company’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q4 2022.