Japan renewable energy

Coal is on its last gasp – only legacy energy sector policy stands in the way of a self-reliant, self-sustaining future.

Since December, civil society protests have marked the Japanese government's drafting of its basic energy and climate action plans.

The yawning gap between vision and policy reality jeopardizes Japan’s important energy security goals and efforts to decarbonize the energy supply.

The government plans to use the proceeds on technologies that will steer Japan’s government and industry on the right track in terms of both climate and export competitiveness.

Several factors continue to hamper the formulation of a more ambitious policy, but change might be coming.

The country’s worsening energy supply shortage is seeing nuclear power play a greater role in its energy mix. 

Tokyo’s metropolitan government is requiring new construction to use solar panels, but the industry’s reliance on parts from Xinjiang poses a thorny moral dilemma.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced the Japanese government to confront its energy sufficiency woes. Speeding up the development of offshore wind power is one solution.

As extreme weather intensifies, companies like Samsung, Toshiba, and Alibaba must commit to renewable energy.

The nuclear accident also marked a defining moment in Japan’s energy debate.

Decarbonization usually means boosting renewable energy, but Japan is also looking to push nuclear energy.

To increase energy self-sufficiency after the 2011 nuclear disaster, renewables are Japan’s only option.