“Just Transition” is defined as greening the economy in a fair and inclusive manner. The term is often
associated with labor rights, particularly for workers in high-emission industries. More recently, it has also been used in contexts supporting climate-related transitions, especially in the Global South. These
developments reflect the expanding scope of Just Transition, emphasizing the protection of human rights in both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
At SIPA, Columbia University, I had the opportunity to take a wide range of courses exploring the
intersection of climate change and human rights. New York City is also home to many environmental
justice and Just Transition initiatives. Through academic study and exposure to these local efforts, I came to realize that Just Transition in the US is deeply intertwined with racial inequality. Communities located near power plants and emission facilities are often communities of color, who suffer disproportionately from pollution and related health risks. These conditions highlight that Just Transition is not only a
technical or economic issue, but also a matter of social justice.
In contrast, racial inequality is less visible in Japan, where other dimensions of inequality shape the Just Transition challenge. Through my research, I began to focus on two key elements that must be considered in the Japanese context.
- Geographical Inequality
The connection between energy transition and geographical inequality became especially visible after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. One of the damaged nuclear power plants had been supplying
electricity to the Tokyo metropolitan area, highlighting how rural communities often bear the burdens of energy production for urban centers.
As Japan moves toward decarbonization and plans to shut down fossil fuel power plants, rural
communities will face unique challenges. Many of these areas struggle with aging populations and
economic decline, limiting their capacity to adapt to new technologies or renewable energy industries.
Meanwhile, urban areas, where green jobs are more available and public transportation is widely used, are better prepared for low-carbon lifestyles. This creates a regional imbalance in transition readiness and in the distribution of costs and benefits.
- Gender Inequality
Women are known to be three times more likely than men to be injured or die during natural disasters—an increasingly pressing issue as climate-induced disasters grow in frequency.
On the mitigation side, green jobs in sectors like renewable energy remain male-dominated. Women are also underrepresented in STEM education, which is crucial for access to emerging green industries. If we
expand funding and subsidies in green sectors without addressing these disparities, the benefits of growth
will remain concentrated among already-advantaged groups. In the US, men currently account for two-thirds of green jobs, and the sector is also dominated by white men, highlighting overlapping racial and gender inequalities.
The IMF has emphasized that economies with a strong supply of STEM-educated workers and higher
levels of gender equality are better positioned to transition to a green economy more quickly and at lower cost.
A Just Transition is often framed as “ensuring no one is left behind in decarbonization.” But I believe that unless all people are truly included in this process, the decarbonization effort itself may ultimately fail.
Exclusion creates resistance and undermines the legitimacy of climate policies. Therefore, Just Transition is not just a desirable principle, but it is a necessary process for building a sustainable and resilient low-carbon society.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Hsun Kwei & Aiko Takizawa Chou Scholarship, as well as Friends of U Tokyo, for your support in giving me the opportunity to study at SIPA. With your generous support, I was able to pursue my academic interests and deepen my commitment to equity and
sustainability. To ensure that no one is left behind in the decarbonization process, I remain dedicated to
advancing research and promoting Just Transition through corporate initiatives in Japan and more broadly across the Asia-Pacific region, where challenges such as aging populations, gender inequality, and dependence on fossil fuels continue to shape the transition landscape.
