The Carbon Business Council, Bellwether Research, and Intage released a public opinion survey evaluating Japanese public sentiment toward carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies and policies. Conducted among 1,061 adults across Japan, the study measures public awareness, policy support, and preferred governance structures as the nation prepares to transition its GX emissions trading system (GX-ETS) toward mandatory compliance.

A key challenge highlighted in the survey findings is the low level of public awareness regarding national decarbonization mechanisms. While 81% of respondents express high concern over climate change, 67% remain unfamiliar with official net-zero targets, 58% have never heard of the GX-ETS, and only 12% fully understand CDR concepts. This gap between environmental concern and policy literacy poses a hurdle for deploying durable carbon removal solutions, including biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More systems, within Japan’s regulatory compliance framework.

To address these knowledge gaps, the research provided respondents with direct educational definitions of national net-zero goals and carbon removal pathways. When informed of the mechanisms, 56% of Japanese adults expressed support for public and private investments in atmospheric carbon removal, while 70% supported capturing carbon directly from industrial point sources. Furthermore, 57% of participants indicated that carbon removal leadership should be executed jointly through government and private-sector collaboration.

The survey results demonstrate that clear communication of CDR mechanisms generates broad public backing for climate technology investments. Generational equity and responsibility to future generations surfaced as the most persuasive arguments driving public acceptance. These findings offer a clear mandate for policymakers and private enterprises to build out domestic carbon removal markets, providing a favorable regulatory and public landscape for durable carbon credit deployment.