New Survey: Japanese Public Backs Carbon Removal, Wants Government and Industry to Lead Together

With GX-ETS compliance requirements taking effect this year, national poll finds low existing familiarity for carbon dioxide removal and net zero, but strong underlying support l once people learn more.

TOKYO, July 21, 2026 — A majority of Japanese adults expressed support for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) as a tool to help meet the country's climate goals, according to a new nationally representative survey released today by the Carbon Business Council, conducted in partnership with Bellwether Research and Intage, Japan's leading market research firm.

The survey of 1,061 adults across Japan, fielded in May 2026, finds that public concern about climate change is broad and genuine. Four in five adults (81%) consider climate change a serious or very serious issue. However, awareness of the policy tools meant to address it lags far behind. Two-thirds of respondents have never heard of a net zero target, and 58% are unfamiliar with GX-ETS, Japan's emissions trading system.

GX-ETS moves from voluntary to mandatory participation this year for Japan's largest emitters, requiring covered companies to measure, report, and offset a share of their emissions, including through carbon removal credits. This marks the country's first binding compliance mechanism for carbon and a new source of demand. The survey suggests public support for the goals behind the policy already exist, even where its mechanics remain unfamiliar.

Key findings include:

• Concern is high, awareness is low. 81% see climate change as a serious problem, but only 5% say they fully or mostly understand what a net zero target means.

• Awareness of carbon removal and related policy mechanisms remains limited. Only 12% of Japanese adults say they fully or mostly understand carbon dioxide removal, 67% have never heard of a net zero target, and 58% have never heard of GX-ETS. When given a description of Japan's net zero commitment, a majority expressed support.

• The majority support carbon removal once it’s explained. 56% support investment in technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and 70% support capturing carbon directly from industrial sources.

• The public wants shared leadership. 57% say the government and the private sector should lead on carbon removal together. Only 6% think the private sector should act alone.

• Half of Japanese adults find it persuasive that the Japanese government should require industries who have long benefitted from carbon pollution to pay for its removal.

• Intergenerational fairness to future generations is the most persuasive case for CDR investment, outperforming arguments centered on economic competitiveness or global leadership.

The Japan survey builds on the Carbon Business Council's broader mobilization efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, in collaboration with regional experts like Emerald Climate. It is published amid increasing momentum for carbon removal in Japan, where a growing number of companies have begun purchasing carbon removal credits ahead of GX-ETS enforcement. The survey questionnaire was developed with input from Japanese-based companies and partners active in the region.

Industry leaders active across the Asia-Pacific region responded to the findings:

“This survey confirms what we've seen across multiple markets: people support carbon removal long before they're familiar with the specific policies designed to build the market. Japan now joins a growing group of economies with a binding compliance mechanism for carbon. Companies in the region can no longer treat carbon removal as optional. This survey shows the public is ready to back that shift, even where understanding of terms like net zero and GX-ETS remains low, and there’s a strong opportunity to close that gap.” Ben Rubin, Executive Director, Carbon Business Council

“As Japan’s carbon market evolves under GX-ETS, this survey shows that public support for carbon removal is also emerging. The findings show that the public expects continued collaboration between government and the private sector as Japan progressively builds a carbon removal market." Jun Yanagisawa, General Manager of Sustainability Solutions Business Division, Mitsui&Co.,Ltd

 "The clearest signal in this survey is that the Japanese public expects government and industry to move forward together—57% see carbon removal as a shared responsibility, and 60% would welcome stronger government support for companies adopting these technologies. The public is ready, and there's real momentum to build on. Voluntary corporate action alone won't be enough, and neither will regulation alone. At Planet Savers, we're committed to doing our part—scaling direct air capture that Japan can trust—and we look forward to partnering with government to turn this public goodwill into progress." Kei Ikegami, Founder & CEO, Planet Savers, Inc. 

“Carbon removal is now embedded in voluntary corporate standards and increasingly in sovereign regulation. The public support for carbon removal across Japan helps solidify the direction for removals in the country. Japanese organisations are moving with a pragmatic, data-led approach, making it ClimeFi’s fastest-growing market.” Paolo Piffaretti, CEO and Co-Founder, ClimeFi

“This survey highlights an important opportunity for Japan to take clear leadership in carbon removal. The combination of public support, corporate momentum, and the introduction of GX-ETS creates the conditions for a strong carbon removal market. Beyond its climate benefits, carbon removal also represents a significant business opportunity for Japan. We are already working with Japanese companies such as NYK, MOL, and NTT DATA, and look forward to expanding further as more companies integrate carbon removal into their business strategies.” Adrian Siegrist, Chief Commercial Officer, Climeworks

"The survey reinforces what we're seeing firsthand in Japan: momentum for durable carbon removal is accelerating. Companies are preparing for a new compliance market, public support is strong, and corporate buyers, trading houses and financial institutions are doubling down on investing in the sector. That's why Deep Sky continues to invest in long-term relationships that connect Canada's leadership in durable carbon removal with Japan's rapidly growing carbon removal ecosystem." Quentin Servais Laval, Vice President of Finance & Operations, Deep Sky

"Japan is a global leader in industrial innovation, and growing public support for carbon removal reflects a clear opportunity to sharpen Japan's economic competitiveness through climate technology leadership. Our partnerships with leading Japanese companies across aviation, shipping, heavy industry, and advanced manufacturing will be essential to turning policy-driven demand into high-quality carbon removal and next-generation energy solutions that guide 21st Century commerce." Vikrum Aiyer, Head of Policy, Heirloom

Methodology

The survey was conducted online by Intage among 1,061 adults aged 18-79 across Japan in May 2026. Bellwether Research provided survey design and analysis. The sample is nationally representative by age, gender, and region. Respondents were not provided definitions of survey terms prior to answering; findings on specific climate actions should be read as reactions to the language tested rather than fully informed policy preferences. The full memo of findings is available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6054db4efc6c3622f12682fe/t/6a5e8e3fa69f806ed1833e2d/1784581695519/JapanCDR.pdf

The Japanese version of this news announcement can be found here.

About the Carbon Business Council

The Carbon Business Council (CO2BC) is a coalition representing more than 100 carbon management organisations across all major carbon removal pathways who are united to build a more prosperous planet. Our coalition accelerates market development across sectors and continents through ecosystem building, policy engagement, and public affairs.

Media Contact

Sasha Chebil
info@CarbonBusinessCouncil.org