2025 Volume 24 Pages 64-78
The global trend toward decarbonization is beginning to require Japanese manufacturers in Thailand to decarbonize their operations. Therefore, I analyzed the results of an existing questionnaire survey by a third-party organization and conducted interviews with 23 Japanese manufacturers to find out how these manufacturers are responding to decarbonization. In analyzing the results of the questionnaire survey, I sought to gain a general understanding of the current status of decarbonization initiatives by Japanese manufacturers in Thailand, specific details of these initiatives, motivations, and challenges. And, in the interview survey, I sought to gain a more detailed understanding of the situation, including these matters.
From these surveys, I found that Japanese manufacturers in Thailand are generally lagging behind in their decarbonization efforts, with many taking a passive stance, and that acceleration of decarbonization is needed. In addition, since the Japanese parent companies have the greatest influence on the promotion of decarbonization, the companies should pay more attention to the promotion of decarbonization by its Thai subsidiaries. Specifically, Japanese parent companies should actively support and cooperate in promoting the introduction of renewable energy, investment in energy-saving equipment, and calculation of greenhouse gas emissions by Thai subsidiaries.
On the other hand, Japanese executives at Thai subsidiaries of small- and medium-sized intermediate goods manufacturers have a large influence in some cases. Japanese manufactures should work on decarbonization not only from a short-term management perspective, but also from a mediumto long-term perspective. To this end, Japanese manufacturers in Thailand need to decarbonize from a broad perspective with an eye on the next generation. In addition, there is an urgent need to create an environment that encourages bold and self-sustaining decarbonization efforts, as well as cooperation
among and between the government and companies toward decarbonization.
