Hundreds of people across Japan have initiated an unprecedented legal challenge against the central government, filing a lawsuit this week that accuses state authorities of failing to protect citizens from the escalating climate crisis and violating their constitutional rights. The landmark complaint, officially accepted by the Tokyo District Court on Thursday, marks the first time in Japanese history that citizens are seeking compensation from the government for what they describe as its “unconstitutional” inaction on climate change, alleging that insufficient policies are jeopardising their health, livelihoods and fundamental rights to a stable environment.
The plaintiffs, numbering around 450 and representing a broad cross-section of society, argue that Japan’s response to the intensifying effects of climate change has been grossly inadequate, exposing communities to increased heatwaves and associated harms. Lead lawyer Akihiro Shima said the legal team had submitted extensive evidence supporting the claim that the government’s current climate action falls far short of what is necessary to safeguard citizens, and the court’s acceptance of the case marks a significant milestone in climate litigation within the country.
Among those suing is Kiichi Akiyama, a 57-year-old construction worker who described how relentless heat has drastically slowed his team’s productivity, resulting in major financial losses. “I can barely dig with a shovel for 10 minutes without sitting down to rest,” Akiyama told AFP, emphasising the physical toll of extreme temperatures that have become more frequent and severe. He also recounted instances where people have collapsed while working outdoors or even died after returning home, underscoring the human cost of climate change impacts in Japan.
Experts point out that while several climate-related lawsuits have been filed in Japan previously — including challenges to coal-fired power plants — this is the first to seek compensation directly from the state. Masako Ichihara, an assistant professor at Kyoto University who has monitored climate litigation in Japan, noted that the bold thrust of this case lies in its direct challenge to national policy and its assertion that inadequate measures violate constitutional protections for a peaceful life and a stable climate.
This year, Japan experienced its hottest summer since records began in 1898, intensifying public concern over rising temperatures. The plaintiffs argue that such extreme heatwaves not only cause economic losses and damage crops but also significantly heighten the risk of heatstroke and other health crises. Another plaintiff, who used the surname Saito, said her six-year-old son has lost opportunities to play outdoors as parks and public pools are frequently closed during heat alerts, with playground equipment becoming dangerously hot.
The lawsuit does not focus primarily on monetary compensation — plaintiffs are seeking a symbolic sum of 1,000 yen (around $6.50) each — but rather on holding the government accountable for what lawyers describe as a failure to enact policies aligned with scientific and international commitments. The complaint criticises Tokyo’s current emissions targets, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2035 and 73 per cent by 2040 compared with 2013 levels, arguing these goals fall significantly short of the reductions needed under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Moreover, they contend that Japan’s targets are not legally binding, further undermining their effectiveness.
Similar litigation is gaining ground globally, with courts in South Korea and Germany ruling that respective national climate goals were insufficient and unconstitutional. While legal analysts believe the chances of success in Japan may be slim, they emphasise that the case could have profound implications for public awareness and future policy debates on climate action in the country and beyond.
