Japan is accelerating its carbon neutral strategy with the launch of a major offshore blue carbon research program, aimed at dramatically scaling marine CO₂ capture to support the nation’s ESG goals and 2050 net-zero emissions target. 

Backed by Japan’s Environment Ministry, the initiative brings together JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), Eneos Corp, and other partners to explore carbon absorption using marine ecosystems—particularly seaweed, mangroves, and seafloor storage. This marks a strategic expansion from traditional land-based sequestration to ocean-based carbon capture. 

Japan’s forests, which currently absorb approximately 45 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, are declining in carbon absorption efficiency due to aging. In contrast, marine plants sequestered only 34 tonnes of CO₂ in 2023, but the government now aims to ramp that up to 1 million tonnes by 2035 and 2 million tonnes by 2040. 

A ministry official emphasized the potential of this technology: 

“If we can demonstrate a viable method to fix CO₂ on the seafloor, it could become a powerful new pillar of Japan’s carbon absorption portfolio.” 

The blue carbon strategy will assess deep-sea CO₂ behavior, focusing on how submerged seaweed can serve as a long-term carbon sink. Research will also evaluate environmental impacts to ensure sustainable deployment. 

This initiative complements Japan’s broader decarbonisation roadmap, aiming to diversify solutions and maintain climate resilience amid growing climate risks and declining forest-based carbon absorption. 

By advancing ocean-based sequestration, Japan positions itself as a global leader in next-generation ESG solutions—demonstrating how blue carbon can serve as both a climate mitigation tool and a key element of a sustainable, science-driven carbon neutral strategy. 

Sources: 

https://esgnews.com/japan-launches-offshore-blue-carbon-research-to-scale-marine-co%e2%82%82-capture/ 

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/a56394e9e7d8-japan-to-launch-offshore-blue-carbon-study-for-co2-capture-storage.html?phrase=korea%20trump&words= 

https://carbonherald.com/japan-plans-offshore-blue-carbon-study-to-explore-co2-capture-storage/