Koichi Hagiuda, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, speaks at the Sydney Energy Forum in Sydney, Australia, July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/Pool/File PhotoTOKYO, July 27 - Japan's industry minister Koichi Hagiuda has taken on the additional role as "Green Transformation" minister, leading the country's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the government's spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"Minister Hagiuda is expected to manage administrative processes to realise the transformation of Japan's economy, society and industrial structure based on clean energy...while the stable supply and security of energy resources remain a major principle," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told a regular news conference.
The government holds the first meeting of a council in charge of planning "Green Transformation" policies on Wednesday, where the roadmap of investments for it over the next 10 years will be among topics discussed, Kihara told reporters. In May, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida announced a plan to issue an estimated 20 trillion yen worth of "green transition" bonds to accelerate the country's shift to alternative energy sources amid the heightened energy risks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.