Climate & peace action - Sydney
Supporters in Sydney, please support a small action led by Jubilee Australia. It will be held at Hickson Rd Reserve in The Rocks and is likely to be wrapped up by 10.30am.
On the occasion of a visit to Australia by Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the action is to demonstrate opposition to her new government's pro-war and pro-fossil fuels policies. It will basically be a small peaceful, symbolic stunt with the Opera House in the background and individual people in Koala and Pikachu costumes with cardboard props. It should be fun!
This is not a rally but it would be good to have a small group participating. Jubilee is aiming to provide photos for the media and show solidarity with people in Japan and other parts of Asia who are doing their best to put Japan on a more ethical pathway.
Background
Earlier this month, PM Takaichi committed USD 10 billion in public finance – mostly in loans – for Asian countries to secure more crude oil and to “diversify” its energy sources by encouraging greater uptake of LNG and biofuels. This initiative, “Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia),” announced at Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Summit, claims to drive up to 1.2 billion barrels of crude oil imports annually. This is not a show of sincere support towards neighbouring countries in the region during an energy crisis - but is another example of Japan using diplomatic and financial force to suppress the region’s transition to reliable, self-sufficient, affordable renewable energy.
AZEC, initiated by then-Prime Minister Kishida in 2023, promotes LNG, carbon capture and storage (CCS), biomass, ammonia and hydrogen co-firing in ASEAN countries and Australia under the guise of decarbonization. Despite its name, more than 30% of partnerships signed under AZEC support these false solutions. Like AZEC, POWERR Asia is distracting partner countries with further unreliable fossil fuel dependence as a response to an energy crisis.
Japanese corporations are benefiting from conflicts and crises
In the backdrop of Takaichi’s visits is Japan’s push for security cooperation and increased militarisation. This month, the Takaichi administration lifted further restrictions on its weapons export rules. It also agreed to sell 11 warships to Australia - the largest postwar defence deal. The project has been awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, one of the world's largest gas turbine producers.
This simultaneous push for militarisation and public investment in fossil fuel expansion is hypocritical and dangerous.
Fossil fuels are undeniably linked to conflict and inequality. Under Takaichi’s direction, Japan risks losing touch with the rest of the world, as other governments adopt safer, cheaper, renewable energy. Stockpiling fossil fuels and strengthening military power do not address the core issue. The fossil fuel and arms industries profit from war and have an inhumane vested interest in prolonging conflict.
WHEN
May 04, 2026 at 9:45am - 10:30am
WHERE