In a rare move, a group of Japanese citizens concerned about the impact of climate change filed a petition for human rights relief with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations on Wednesday to address the issue through legal means.
Climate Case Japan, a group formed in 2021 that argues climate change is a human rights issue, submitted a petition signed by 365 individuals, asking the bar association to make formal requests to relevant ministries and courts to take stronger climate action on their behalf.
It will likely take more than a year for the bar association to scrutinize the petition before deciding whether to issue a warning to — or request specific measures from — the government.