Japan's Energy Policy Research Articles

Japan's Energy Policy: Current Challenges and Problems

Japan's Energy Policy: Current Challenges and Problems

Public opinion on nuclear power plants in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America: A prescription for peculiar Japan

In attempts to solve climate change and energy security issues, many countries have made plans to invest in nuclear energy. Public opinion on nuclear energy is an important factor in building support for the construction and operation of new nuclear power plants (NPPs). In this study, public opinion surveys on existing NPP use and the new construction of NPPs were conducted simultaneously using the same method in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Japanese respondents were neutral on existing and new NPPs, citing “no strong reason”. In all three countries, the term “new construction” made the respondents anxious about NPP safety. This study also examined whether Japanese respondents’ attitudes change when the reasons for negative opinions toward NPPs are solved. By using the phrase “NPPs that no longer require evacuation,” respondent anxiety was resolved, and an increase in the respondents who agreed with the new construction of NPPs was observed. For Japanese respondents who believed that the problem of radioactive waste had not yet been resolved, the selection of a disposal site was not perceived as a solution. Based on these findings, this research provides valuable insights that can help advance energy policy in Japan.

Politics of climate change and energy policy in Japan: Is green transformation likely?

While being proud of comparatively high levels of energy efficiency and having experienced the Fukushima nuclear disaster, it may be presumed that Japan would become a leader in the global energy transition. On the contrary, however, Japan has demonstrated a degree of intransigence around deep decarbonization. Why does Japan not take leadership in the energy transition and arrest climate change? What is the context for Japanese climate/energy policymaking? What is the context for the 2050 net-zero target, what are the obstacles, and which actors could assist effectively in accelerating this transition? This article considers new drivers for national policy as well as the influence of exogenous domestic and international forces. This leads to the question of whether the 2050 carbon neutrality policy goal could deliver a rapid shift away from fossil fuels. It presents an analytical framework to explain Japan’s evolving climate-energy nexus, illuminating core variables hampering and enabling the attainment of the net-zero 2050 target.

Industrial electricity consumption efficiency and energy policy in Japan

This study analyzes the potential for energy savings by identifying inefficiencies in electricity use and their determinants in the Japanese industrial sector. Specifically, we used stochastic frontier analysis to estimate inefficiencies in electricity consumption based on data obtained from electric power companies. We identified significant determinants of electricity consumption efficiency and that changes in national energy policy following the Great East Japan Earthquake changed electricity consumption behavior. The contribution of this study is that its findings can be used to improve the cost-effectiveness of policies aimed at improving energy efficiency.

Normalized injustices in the national energy discourse: A critical analysis of the energy policy framework in Japan through the three tenets of energy justice

This review provides a new perspective on issues about Japan's energy policy, emphasizing inherent justice failings in the country's energy policy framework—energy security, economic efficiency, environment, and safety (3E + S). To do so, we integrated a conceptual framework of energy justice synthesized from a review of the energy justice literature into a review of Japan's energy policy discourses, particularly the positioning of the 3E + S framework and its institutional basis in relation to the changes after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The analysis revealed that besides a few fruitless attempts to integrate aspects of justice into energy policymaking in the immediate aftermath of Fukushima, the energy policy framework enforces the energy security paradigm of the post-oil shock period and carries inherent justice failings. This points to the normalization effect of injustices through institutionalization under the influence of the nuclear power industry. The analysis indicates a need to rethink the current 3E + S framework to integrate a framework of energy justice that addresses the inherent justice failings into energy policy decision-making beyond the energy security and economic growth paradigm, increasingly urgent needs as Japan works toward achieving its net-zero CO2 commitment and its overall climate-change alleviation goals by 2050.

海流発電装置の開発と指導過程の提案

This study focuses on ocean current power generation, develops a device for experiential learning, and aims to propose a teaching process. The developed device consists of a hull and a power generation turbine. The hull is stabilized by attaching two styrofoam floats side by side. The power generation turbine was designed and manufactured using 3D CAD. The guidance process consists of (1) confirming the energy situation in Japan and recognizing the need for renewable energy, (2) learning the mechanisms and characteristics of ocean current power generation through experiments, and (3) thinking about Japan's future energy policy. As a result of the experiment, I was able to understand the characteristics of ocean current power generation and consider Japan's energy policy from various points of view.

Japan's Energy Policy: Between Inertia and Breakthrough

Japan's Energy Policy: Between Inertia and Breakthrough

Changing dynamics of the nuclear energy policy‐making process in Japan

AbstractTo improve the effectiveness of environmental policy and governance, recent theoretical and empirical research increasingly suggests the adoption of multi‐level and more participatory policy‐making processes over traditionally centralized policy‐making processes. This article takes the Fukushima nuclear crisis of 2011 as a prime example in an attempt to assess the changing dynamics of the nuclear energy policy‐making process in Japan. To explore the changing dynamics, the paper focuses on the roles of the judicial branch and local governments in the nuclear energy policy‐making process. Nuclear energy policy in Japan has evolved along with industrial policies for economic growth. Before the Fukushima crisis, neither the judicial branch nor local governments were regarded as influential actors in nuclear energy policy‐making. The judicial branch basically supported government policy in litigation brought by civic groups. Local governments in rural areas tried to attract nuclear power plant construction because of promised subsidies from the national government and a solid tax base from construction and jobs. However, after the Fukushima crisis, both judicial branches and local governments became more influential in the nuclear energy policy‐making process. Local and high courts now actively issue injunctions against the reoperation of nuclear power plants. In gubernatorial or mayoral elections of local governments where nuclear power plants are located, candidates are politically pressured to express their stance on nuclear power plants more explicitly than in the past. Anti‐nuclear civic groups are also gradually changing the focus of their lobbying efforts to local elections.

The Fukushima effect at home: The changing role of domestic actors in Japanese energy policy

AbstractThis paper reviews the changing role of domestic political institutions, including local governments and courts, in Japan's energy policy over the 8 years since the Fukushima disaster, focusing on the nuclear and renewable power industries. We explain how a variety of hidden subsidies created financial dependency in communities hosting nuclear power plants and led to local officials hoping to restart nuclear power plants after the meltdowns despite wide‐scale opposition. Later, the introduction of a feed‐in tariff (FiT) brought a wider range of towns into the field of renewable energy, but vulnerable towns with weaker social networks continue to bear a large share of Japan's energy infrastructure. Courts, prefectures, and local firms have become intervening agents in the renewable energy market, but utilities have pushed back, encouraging the state to overturn the FiT and create auctions for renewable power contracts instead. With subnational governments and courts more powerful in energy policy since the meltdowns, and a variety of new actors involved in renewable energy, post‐Fukushima energy policy has become more democratized.This article is categorized under: The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Decarbonizing Energy and/or Reducing Demand

CONSUMERS’ ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOUR AND POWER UTILITIES’ PREFERENCES

The electricity market in Japan was liberalized in 2016. Consequently, consumers in Japan have options to choose preferred electricity retailers. Some electricity retailers specialize for environmentally friendly renewable energy (RE). RE is regarded as reliable and safe after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. In addition, in the 5th Basic Energy Plan, the Japanese government attempts to raise RE for 22 to 24 % of all energy sources by 2030. However, supplies from RE destabilizes the grid operations. Nuclear power plays significant role in the smooth grid operations. The Japanese government regards nuclear power as one of the substantial energy sources due to Japan's energy policy. Japanese Power utilities also attempt to supply electricity from nuclear power plants. There are some benefits, economically and technologically. However, nuclear power has negative impacts on reliable and safe. In the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) survey, the respondents put reliable and safe as the highest priority. Nuclear power is not acceptable to consumers. This implies gaps between demand and supply sides. This paper examines the preferences on both sides and clarifies the gaps. In addition, some possible solutions, e.g., distributed micro-grids and batteries, could be narrow the gaps.

Japan's Energy Policy and Nuclear Power Issues

Japan's Energy Policy and Nuclear Power Issues

Ground source heat pump status and supportive energy policies in Japan

Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems are energy-efficient technologies to provide low-carbon heating and cooling demands for the buildings. However, deployment of the GSHP systems in Japan is limited mainly due to the relatively high drilling costs for placement of the ground heat exchangers (GHEs), in comparison with EU and North American countries. This study is providing the historical data of deployment of different types of the GSHP systems in Japan, the supportive public policies and incentives for installation of GSHP systems. Finally, the barriers for the further utilization of the GSHP systems in Japanese buildings are discussed and solutions are suggested.

An analysis of the historical trends in nuclear power plant construction costs: The Japanese experience

In this study, we collected Japanese nuclear power plant construction cost data from official documents submitted by the electric utilities and conducted a quantitative analysis of the past trends. We found that the unit construction cost of Japanese nuclear power plants rose during the period from 1975 to 1980, when the “improvement and standardization” programs took place, and did not increase or decline significantly after that. We also observed significant economies of scale, even if we take into account interest during construction, as well as the so-called overnight cost. As far as we know, this study is the first attempt to analyze the total history of Japan's nuclear power generation until the Fukushima accident from the cost perspective. The findings could contribute to a better understanding of the economics of nuclear power, as similar studies in the United States and France tend to exhibit different results. The analyses in this study appear to reinforce the reliability of the cost estimation by the Japanese government, which has been used as the numerical basis for the current energy policies in Japan.

The Theoretical Perspective and Practical Application of Deliberative Process: The Case of Deliberative Process regarding Japan Energy Policy

The Theoretical Perspective and Practical Application of Deliberative Process: The Case of Deliberative Process regarding Japan Energy Policy

Exploring the Strategic Inclinations of Japanese Environmental NPOs in Post-Fukushima Japan

Following Sine and David’s research on the potential of environmental jolts shifting the status quo in U.S. energy policy, we focus on the potential for environmental non-profit organizations in Japan to shift the status quo through institutional entrepreneurial efforts following the environmental jolt from the Fukushima nuclear power catastrophe. We evaluate the institutionalization of energy policy in Japan both pre- and post-Fukushima as the context for examining the potential for change in Japan’s energy policy. We utilize mixed qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate the attitudes and strategic inclinations of privately funded Japanese environmental non-profit organizations. Following Dreiling and Wolf’s model of material–organizational dependencies versus ideological motivations of non-profit organizations, we develop a typology to identify which, if any, segments of environmental Japanese non-profit organizations might pursue institutional entrepreneurial (Levy and Scully) opportunities in support of renewable energy policy.

Japan's 2014 Strategic Energy Plan: A Planned Energy System Transition

This study is a review and analysis of the Japanese government's 2014 Strategic Energy Plan (SEP). As the first plan to be issued after the Fukushima disaster of March 2011, the 2014 plan incorporates policies that represent the most comprehensive and systematic changes ever proposed for Japan's energy system. The study reviews the key elements of the plan, employing a framework that explains the nature and magnitude of the changes planned for Japan's energy system and related institutions. The analysis demonstrates that the shock of the triple disaster opened up a window of opportunity in Japan's policy environment for a fundamental change in Japan's energy policy, allowing for major reforms to the energy industrial structure and energy institutions. A unique aspect of this study is that it draws upon in-person interviews conducted with key government officials who were directly involved in the formulation of the SEP, providing new insights into Japan's energy policy planning process and the drivers behind the planned reforms. Given the nature and magnitude of the potential changes implied in the SEP, this paper concludes that the 2014 SEP is best understood as a comprehensive blueprint towards a major planned transition of the Japanese energy system.

エネルギーセキュリティ及びレジリエンスの評価手法の提案と日本のエネルギー需給を対象とするケーススタディ

Improving national energy security has been recognized as one of the most important perspectives of energy policy in Japan. On the other hand, a notion of higher energy resilience has recently become common to make a domestic energy supply system stable since the Great East Japan earthquake occurred in 2011. Therefore, a purpose of this study is to establish frameworks that evaluate energy security and energy resilience quantitatively to design a sustainable energy system. An advanced framework for energy security evaluation is developed in which Resource Diversity, Import Price, Import Region Diversity, Environmental Impact and Energy Efficiency are selected as criteria, where each criterion is normalized between 0 (extremely low security) and 1 (extremely high security). In addition, a multi-objective analysis using the augmented ε-constraint method (AUGMECON) is conducted to determine the best energy resource configuration for a Japanese energy system from the perspective of both energy security and economic feasibility. On the other hand, energy resilience evaluations are conducted in accordance with four steps: identifying risks, assessing risks, building resilience, and evaluating resilience. Energy resilience is evaluated based on two criteria. The first one is Resilience Index which is calculated by a ratio between energy supply and energy demand. The second one is an economic loss incurred by a sudden energy supply interruption. In conclusion, in order to develop a sustainable energy system in Japan, it is important to increase the proportion of renewable energy consumption, which contributes to enhancing both national energy security and regional energy resilience.

Beyond Fukushima: Toward a Post-Nuclear Society by Koichi Hasegawa

Reviewed by: Beyond Fukushima: Toward a Post-Nuclear Society by Koichi Hasegawa Daniel P. Aldrich (bio) Beyond Fukushima: Toward a Post-Nuclear Society. By Koichi Hasegawa; translated by Minako Sato. Trans Pacific Press, Melbourne, 2015. xvi, 228 pages. $89.95. This important new book tackles a question that has vexed many observers since the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami set off meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants in Japan. While in the early 2000s many observers had proclaimed the start of a global nuclear renaissance, the inability of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to prevent and then successfully contain a nuclear accident at Fukushima put that on hold. A number of governments around the world, including those in Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, used Japan's nuclear accident, rated at the maximum level of the International Nuclear Event Scale, as a policy window to change their energy policies. Uranium prices have dropped precipitously as the market envisions less global demand for nuclear fuel; the countries building the most new nuclear plants are primarily authoritarian ones (for example, China and Russia). [End Page 475] Domestic critics of Japan's advanced commercial nuclear power program envisioned that Japan would follow suit. They believed that the Fukushima meltdowns along with massive antinuclear rallies (some of which had more than 150,000 participants), citizens' referenda on energy selection in several major cities, and widespread opposition to nuclear would provide sufficient weight to their arguments and shift Japan away from atomic energy. The forced evacuation of more than 140,000 residents from towns like Namie, Futaba, and Ōkuma near the Fukushima plants and the continued dislocation of thousands of evacuees in temporary shelters throughout the country even now remain front page news. TEPCO's mismanagement of the disaster site, its inability to stop the outflow of contaminated water, and its need for financial rescue from near bankruptcy due to compensation for evacuees have caused dismay. Yet the current Japanese government under Prime Minister Abe Shinzō continues to push for full nuclear restarts for its remaining 48 commercial reactors and for a closed fuel cycle complete with fuel reprocessing. In this book, Hasegawa, like other scholars, including Richard Samuels and Richard Hind-marsh and Rebecca Priestly,1 explores why Japan's energy policy has not changed course more drastically as a result of the catastrophe. Through a comparative policy analysis of Japan and other advanced, industrial democracies, Hasegawa reveals what may help move Japan beyond Fukushima. Hasegawa argues that institutions, and not ideas or interest groups, have been the primary movers behind Japan's policy choices about atomic energy. A framework of financial redistribution to depopulating host communities known in Japan as the Dengen Sanpō (Three Power Source Development Laws, Dengen sanpō kōfukin seido) has given incentives to rural towns to invite in nuclear facilities.2 Once the initial plant is completed and the town budget has been boosted by hundreds of millions of yen a year in new buildings, roads, elder care facilities, assistance for business relocation to the area, and other infrastructure, host communities often are forced to invite in additional plants. The amount of money received from the initial plant wanes over time, so local officials must ask for additional plants to keep up their budgets and avoid dropping spending levels. Critics have called this a "cycle of addiction" and a "culture of dependency,"3 and others [End Page 476] have pointed out that the actual economic impact of hosting is, at best, mixed.4 As a result, a number of towns host as many as seven nuclear power plants (such as the the city of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa in Niigata) while others, like Futaba, hosted six. Beyond the demand side for nuclear facility hosting, other institutional factors such as a well-insulated nuclear bureaucracy (p. 27), site selection in impoverished rural areas with weak civil society organizations (p. 34), and a national judicial system which rarely takes activist or antigovernment stances (p. 202) have helped Japanese authorities develop their nuclear program from the top down. Japan also lacks a Green Party which has made environmental issues a top priority and has been able to serve as a coalition...

Assessment of post-Fukushima renewable energy policy in Japan's nation-wide power grid

This manuscript analyzes an optimal power generation mix in Japan's nation-wide power grid by considering the post-Fukushima energy policy which puts a high priority on expanding renewable energy. The study is performed, employing an optimal power generation mix model which is characterized by detailed geographical resolution derived from 135 nodes and 166 high-voltage power transmission lines with 10-min temporal resolution. Simulated results reveal that renewable energy promotion policy underlies the necessity for capacity expansion of inter- or intra-regional power transmission lines in Japan in order to realize economical power system operation. In addition, the results show that the integration of massive variable renewable (VR) such as PV and wind decreases the capacity factor of power plant including ramp generator and possibly affects that profitability, which implies the challenge to ensure power system adequacy enough to control VR variability.

Measuring energy intensity in Japan: A new method

Energy intensity and energy conservation have been important pillars of energy policies in Japan. Recently, the government has introduced new initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy intensity. We analyze the energy intensity in Japan for the period 1973–2006 by proposing a new method which takes into account all other inputs used in production and corrects for the bias in the traditional energy intensity measure. We show that the traditional energy intensity measure has serious flaws. The traditional measure overestimates actual energy intensity before the mid-1980s and largely underestimates afterwards. It is found that aggregate energy intensity has risen remarkably from 1991 to 2001. The main cause of this rise is the rapid rise in energy intensity in manufacturing and energy sectors.