At the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Belém, Brazil, a bold—some might say whimsical—protest has grabbed headlines: activists donned giant inflatable Pikachu costumes to demand that Japan stop financing fossil fuel projects across Southeast Asia. AP News+2Los Angeles Times+2
The demonstration was part of a larger campaign called “Stop Japan’s Dirty Energy Plans.” According to protest organizers like Friends of the Earth Japan, Japan’s overseas investments in coal and natural gas are undermining climate justice for the Global South. AP News+1
What Are They Protesting Against?
- The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is under fire. From 2016 to 2024, it reportedly provided US$ 6.4 billion in loans for coal projects and US$ 874 million for gas projects. The Washington Post+2The Independent+2
- Activists argue that this financing “delays the fossil fuel phase-out across Asia,” especially in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The Independent
- The underlying message: while Japan often presents itself as a climate leader domestically, its international finance tells a different story—one that pushes a fossil-fuel-heavy agenda in the Global South. Los Angeles Times+1
The Pikachu Symbolism
- Two people in inflatable Pikachu suits marched alongside activists, chanting slogans like: “Only Pokémon, no fossil fuels”
“Sayonara fossil fuels” The Washington Post+1 - The Pikachus made their way to pavilions of India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, holding banners like “Don’t gas ASEAN.” The Independent
- According to Amiera Sawas, head of research & policy at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, the playful costumes hide a serious point: if rich countries like Japan continue exporting fossil fuel infrastructure, the Global South’s just energy transition is jeopardized. The Washington Post+1
Reactions & Tension
- When reached for comment, a senior Japanese COP30 negotiator, Takuya Nomoto, responded non-directly, declining to publicly commit to changing JBIC’s current financing stance. The Washington Post
- Japan, on its part, argues that its energy funding is aligned with “decarbonization, economic growth, and energy security,” and that its projects have the backing of partner nations. Los Angeles Times+1
- Critics, however, say Japan’s model of simultaneous “economic growth + fossil energy + climate action” is contradictory and risks locking in more dependency on coal and gas. The Independent+1
The Bigger Picture at COP30
- This protest is symbolic of the tension at COP30, especially during energy-themed days, as countries and activists push for stronger accountability around fossil fuel financing. The Independent
- It also highlights a recurring pattern in climate summits: civil society using creative, eye-catching tactics (like Pikachu costumes) to draw attention to complex issues like climate finance.
- For many protesters, the demand is clear: COP30 should not just be about climate talks, but also about ending financial support for fossil fuels, especially from developed economies into emerging markets.
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