BELEM – In an unusual display of protest, activists dressed as Pokemon made their presence felt at the United Nations climate conference on Friday. Their message was clear and targeted at Japan: it’s time to halt the funding of coal and natural gas projects in Southeast Asia and other parts of the Global South.

This demonstration, dubbed “Stop Japan’s Dirty Energy Plans,” was strategically timed with the first of two energy-themed days at COP30, the annual climate conference taking place this year in Belem, nestled at the edge of the Brazilian Amazon. Organizers argue that Japan’s investments in fossil fuel projects present a significant blind spot for a nation that often positions itself as a leader in the decarbonization efforts in Asia.

Hiroki Osada from Friends of the Earth Japan, one of the protest’s organizing groups, expressed concern that Japan’s funding is actively hindering the phase-out of fossil fuels across Asia. “Japan is actually delaying the fossil fuel phase-out across Asia,” Osada said, pointing specifically to investments in liquefied natural gas projects in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Osada emphasized the importance of giving voice to concerns from the Global South at the conference in Belem. “It’s crucial for our Global South comrades to voice their concerns so they can genuinely pressure the Japanese government into action,” he added.

Backing the protestors’ claims, a study by the Philippines-based Center for Energy, Ecology and Development revealed that Japan Bank for International Cooperation, a government-owned entity, has financed $6.4 billion in coal projects and $874 million in gas projects between 2016 and 2024. Despite being Japan’s main channel for overseas aid, the bank has yet to respond to requests for comment on these findings.

When reached for comment, Takuya Nomoto, a senior negotiator with the Japan Delegation at COP30, said that a colleague would respond.

A pair of bobbing Pikachus

The protest centered on a pair of people wearing life-sized, inflatable Pikachu costumes who flanked a handful of activists. Protesters chanted “Only Pokemon, no fossil fuels” and “Sayonara fossil fuels.” The event included activists from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is home to multiple Japan-backed fossil fuel projects. One banner read: “Don’t gas ASEAN.”

The bobbing Pikachus planned to visit the country pavilions of India, Indonesia and Malaysia to “to reveal how Japan is exporting its fossil agenda.”

“If Global North countries, like Japan, decide to double down on fossil fuel production and export, that is going to make it impossible for countries across the Global South to make the just energy transition,” said Amiera Sawas, head of research and policy at the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty Initiative.

The Pikachu protest, a frequent one during recent summits, was sandwiched between other anti-fossil fuel demonstrations and came after a Friday morning demonstration blocked the main entrance to the conference and increased COP30 security measures. Earlier, activists hosted a “Kick Out the Suits” event demanding the removal of fossil fuel lobbyists, who environmentalists accused of undermining the negotiations.

On Saturday, when significant protests are expected to mark the midpoint of COP, a large march will feature a “funeral for fossil fuels” where giant coffins — symbolizing coal, oil and gas — will be carried down the streets of Belem.

Fossil fuels are key issue at UN climate talk

The global effort to transition away from fossil fuels has been a key topic at COP30. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva set the tone during the Leader’s Summit last week when he called for world leaders to prepare a road map to “overcome dependence on fossil fuels.”

Several countries — such as Denmark, the United Kingdom, Kenya, France and Germany — supported Lula’s call to action.

In Dubai during COP28, nearly 200 countries agreed to move away from fossil fuels, the first pledge in decades of U.N. climate talks. But many have warned the deal still had significant shortcomings.

“At COP30, we need an actionable outcome, not another road map to nowhere,” said Jasper Inventor, deputy program director with Greenpeace International. “While it’s positive to see progression in Belem, we must ensure that this actually leads towards a clear plan to phase out fossil fuels and one that fast-tracks renewables.”

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This story was produced as part of the 2025 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.