Hundreds sue Japan government over ‘unconstitutional’ climate inaction

Thursday, December 18, 2025 -In a major and urgent development, around 450 Japanese citizens have launched a landmark lawsuit against the central government, arguing that its failure to adequately address the climate crisis is “unconstitutional” and threatens public health and livelihoods. 

Filed in Tokyo, the complaint accuses the government’s current climate policies of being dangerously insufficient as extreme heat and severe weather increasingly disrupt daily life across the country.

Plaintiffs include workers and residents who say rising temperatures are already causing serious harm. Construction worker Kiichi Akiyama says relentless heat has reduced productivity and led to significant financial losses, while others report worsening health conditions and unsafe working environments. 

The lawsuit argues that Japan’s existing emissions reduction targets fall short of what science demands and violate citizens’ basic rights to safety, health, and a stable living environment.

While the case seeks only symbolic financial damages, its real objective is pressure. Legal observers note that success in court may be uncertain, but the lawsuit represents a clear escalation in climate accountability efforts. 

It places Japan’s climate response under intense public scrutiny and reflects a growing global movement where citizens are turning to the courts to force faster, stronger climate action from governments.