Japan backtracks on its decision

Japan cancelled its decision to finance Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant Phase-2.

Hikariko Ono, the foreign Press secretary of Japan, announced the decision on Wednesday at a regular press briefing, confirmed The Sankei News.

Ono said the ‘Matabari Ultra-Critical Coal-Fired Power Generation Plant Phase 2’ would be suspended.

“We will continue to cooperate with Bangladesh’s economic and social development, including the development of the Matabari region.”

Bangladesh is constructing a 1,200MW coal-fired power plant at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar with Japan International Co-operation Agency (JIKA).

As part of the project, Japan was to finance the construction of another 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant known as Matarbari Phase-2 Power Plant.

However, from the beginning the project has faced widespread criticism from environment activists because Japan is committed to reducing global carbon emissions.

Hikariko Ono told the journalists the plan was not subject to the suspension of new support for coal-fired power generation agreed at the G7 Summit but it was agreed to be canceled through negotiations with the Bangladesh government.

The Business Post did not get response from the Bangladesh government regarding Japan government’s decision.

About coal-fired power generation, at the G7 summit held in Cornwall, England last June, it was agreed to suspend the government’s new support for overseas coal-fired power generation.

However, projects that had already been processed, such as plants that were canceled this time, were not subject to suspension.