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Climate Justice Case - complaint

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On December 18th, 2025, 452 Japanese citizens filed a complaint against the State (Japan) before the Tokyo District Court. The citizens invoke the right to a peaceful life claiming that it encompasses the right to a stable climate and request compensation for the damages caused by climate change. 

Firstly, as a scientific fact, the plaintiffs indicate the findings by the IPCC. Secondly, as a legal framework, the plaintiffs refer to the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. They also refer to the landmark cases worldwide, including the Dutch Urgenda case, German Neubauer case, the Swiss KlimaSeniorinnen case, and the Korean Youth Climate case, to support their arguments. Further, they point out that States have various obligations to act against climate change as indicated by the ICJ advisory opinion on climate change.

The plaintiffs argue that climate change is a human rights issue and that the State has an obligation to protect human rights under Art. 25 of the Constitution. 

They claim a violation of 
i)        the right to life, health, and bodily integrity (Art. 13 of the Constitution)
ii)        the right to development of a child (Child welfare act)
iii)        freedom of business (Art. 22 (1) of the Constitution)
iv)        Property rights (Art. 29 (1) of the Constitution)
v)        the right to environment
vi)        the right to a peaceful life.
Finally, the plaintiffs argue that the NDC and the Climate Action Plan are insufficient.

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives