Japan is making efforts to develop a framework for carbon neutrality in Asia in the run-up to the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May.

Last year, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio advocated the "Asia Zero Emission Community" concept as energy consumption is increasing in many Asian countries. Under the concept, those countries aim at achieving both sustainable economic growth and decarbonization.

As part of these efforts, Japan's industry ministry plans to hold the first ministerial meeting on the initiative, inviting some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia and others. It will also host a public-private investment forum. Both gatherings will take place in Tokyo in March.

ASEAN members are being urged to address climate change. But they are seen as having no choice but to continue using thermal power generation because of lack of land fit for wind or solar power generation.

Japan intends to provide financial support for those countries to switch from coal-fired power generation to different types of thermal power generation that emit less carbon dioxide.

Japan also wants to jointly develop technology to use hydrogen and ammonia, which are seen as next-generation energy sources.