Climate Change Adaptation Law in Japan

To address climate impacts, Japan enacted the Climate Change Adaptation Act in 2018, the first law globally dedicated to adaptation. Unlike the EU’s strong mitigation focus, Japan emphasizes adaptation through government-led planning, scientific research, and information-sharing systems. The Climate Change Adaptation Act assigns responsibilities to national and local governments, businesses, and citizens, while promoting local climate change adaptation centres and integrated policymaking. A 2023 amendment strengthened measures against heat illness, introducing alert systems, cooling shelters, and coordinated action plans. Overall, Japan’s approach highlights collaboration, flexible governance, and strong institutional support to enhance resilience against climate

change impacts.