Comparative Analysis of South Korean and Japanese Climate Adaptation Policies

• Post by: Marcelo Pena
• June 2, 2024
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Rebecca Spencer, Stanford University

Abstract

The past decade of climate policymaking has seen a rise in multi-sectoral ‘climate adaptation’ policy, with disaster risk assessment becoming critical to policy formation. Despite this global increase in adaptation policies, little scholarship has analyzed adaptation strategies in a comparative fashion, especially in Asia. By comparing policies across three representative risk categories—heatwaves, flooding, and food losses—this paper demonstrates how Korea emphasizes technical, specific tasks, while Japan focuses on generalized ministerial and prefectural delegation to realize adaptation targets. Considering the strengths of opposing adaptation strategies may aid Korea and Japan in tackling climate adaptation in more comprehensive, effective ways.