What challenges does Japan face in achieving its renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals?

Japan faces significant financial challenges in its transition to renewable energy, spending approximately $500 million daily on energy imports. This heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels represents a substantial hurdle for the government's aim to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Despite these challenges, Japan has ambitious plans to increase renewable energy sources like solar and wind from 23% last year to 40-50% of electricity generation by 2040. This dramatic shift in energy composition is crucial for Japan to meet its climate objectives while balancing economic constraints and energy security concerns.