Renewable Energy in Japan

Japan has been well-known for being innovators in many industries, including industries such as technology. Even though they have had a vehement focus on fossil fuels and nuclear energy in the past, the rumblings of renewable energy seem to be on the horizon, especially after recent tragedies in the region.

The Fukushima crisis of 2011 brought forth many questions towards Japan’s usage of energy. This incident, coupled with other incidents in the past has created a major energy dilemma in Japan. The pure devastation of Fukushima has led to many leaders questioning nuclear power, and maybe even moving towards safer and more renewable sources of energy. Up to “80 percent of [Japanese people] are opposed to nuclear energy” and "five Japanese ex-Prime Ministers" are opposed as well[1]. The impact of this environmental crisis is still ongoing, and the repercussions of it are unlimited and truly devastating. Renewable sources of energy may no longer be an option, but a necessity, to prevent any such tragedy to happen again. The question is, will the leadership in Japan embrace this change, or will they continue to stay gun-shy and focus more upon nuclear power and fossil fuel.

Japan has had many interesting movements towards solar power. A few companies have come together and created 30 solar power islands in Japan[2]. This is an early test-run to see the effect of solar power in Japan, and how it can be utilized. Even though there is not a ton of solar power coming from these panels [3], it is still a small-scale prototype of the potential power that can come from these panels.

Even though the process has been slow, there has been a slight shift in attitudes in Japan towards renewable energy. The question is, how long will it take? The answer, as usual, is too long. Japan is still having difficulties moving away from older models of energy, even after the Fukushima crisis. They are still heavily reliant on nuclear power and fossil fuel [4], and it does not seem like the current militant government led by Shinzo Abe wants to actively campaign for renewable energy just yet [5], much to the chagrin of Japan. The change seems to be slowly occurring though, especially as the masses continue to warm up to the idea of solar energy. This is a change that must occur, and nearly all of Japan knows it, including citizens, organizations and former political leaders. It is now up to the current leaders of Japan to also address this issue, and begin to move towards more renewable sorts of energy.

Written by: Shaun Kular

[1]http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/15/renewable-energy-power-japan-fukushima/
[2]http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/japan-30-floating-solar-power-islands-generate-60-megawatts-clean-energy/#!bOYyOD
[3]ibid.
[4] http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/15/renewable-energy-power-japan-fukushima/
[5]ibid.