Energy analysts forecast 'the end of coal' in Asia as Japanese investors back renewables

Australia's largest export customer for thermal coal is scrapping plans to build power plants

Major Japanese investors, including those most indebted to coal, are seeking to back large-scale renewables projects across Asia, marking a "monumental" shift that energy market analysts say is "the start of the end for thermal coal".

At the same time, Japanese banks and trading houses are walking away from coal investments, selling out of Australian mines and scrapping plans to build coal-fired power.