The plan isn’t a departure from the country’s heavy reliance on coal-fired power, which is still expected to account for 26% of the country’s power generation by 2030, down from 32% in the year ended March 2019. Japan committed to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions 26% by 2030 from 2013 levels, under the Paris climate pact.

The country has come under increasing scrutiny for domestic and overseas policies that support coal-fired generation as investors and governments step up efforts to combat climate change. A separate METI panel Wednesday said a review of Japan’s long-term targets should start next year with a focus on decarbonization.

There are 140 coal-fired power units across Japan, of which 114 use supercritical or less efficient technology, according to METI. Some of the older generation in Okinawa and Hokkaido prefectures may be exempted from closures, given their roles in local power supplies, the ministry official said.