The Cabinet Office today (June 3) released the results of its investigation into the issue of logo inclusion in the Renewable Energy Regulatory Reform Task Force materials, clarifying that “there was no evidence that Renewable Energy Institute or Director Mika Ohbayashi had any relationship that could have allowed the Chinese government or others to exercise undue influence”.
The results of the Cabinet Office's investigation confirm that: (1) the inclusion of a Chinese firm logo in the Task Force materials was a clerical error and did not include any materials that originated from the Chinese government or other Chinese organizations; (2) no funds were provided by the Chinese government or other Chinese organizations to Renewable Energy Institute or its staff; (3) at meetings of government departments and agencies, Renewable Energy Institute's personnel made no remarks about the Chinese government or the State Grid Corporation of China, and there were no statements about China other than factual information like international comparisons.
Immediately after the logo inclusion issue arose, Renewable Energy Institute explained it was a clerical error and clarified with facts and data that the Institute is an independent think tank free of influence from the Chinese government or any company. The Cabinet Office's investigation took more than two months, but we are pleased that the government has officially confirmed the clear facts outlined by our Institute.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) have stated that they will refrain from hearing from Renewable Energy Institute until their “concerns” are resolved. Given that the Cabinet Office investigation has revealed that the concerns are unfounded, Renewable Energy Institute will resume discussions with both ministries on energy policy, climate measures, and important issues facing Japan and the world.
In response to the defamation of the Institute during this period, mainly on social networking sites, triggered by the logo inclusion issue, we received solidarity and support messages from numerous energy organizations around the world. These included Francesco La Camera, Secretary General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), as well as many others. Additionally, we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming encouragement Japanese businesses, organizations, municipal governments, and civil society groups extended to us. We wish to express our gratitude once more on this occasion. We also thank the media for attending our briefing and for their interviews.
This month, Renewable Energy Institute will release its energy transition scenarios towards decarbonization. Together with numerous companies, municipalities, civil society organizations, and government entities committed to the energy transition, we are redoubling our efforts to achieve a decarbonized society that averts a climate crisis.
