Japan’s government has approved its Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, which is designed to increase renewable and nuclear capacity.
The refreshed energy plan, written as an improvement of its predecessors, has prioritised clean energy sources and cutting-edge renewable technology – such as portable solar panels and solar BESS.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry commented that the revised energy plan “is consistent with the new target of reducing greenhouse gases by 73% in FY [fiscal year] 2040 (from the FY2013).”
Japan currently imports 90% of its fuel, causing pressure for the country to become energy self-sufficient while also reducing its carbon output.
Daishiro Yamagiwa, an MP in Japan’s House of Representatives who worked on the energy plan, told the BBC: “Because of the conflict in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, even fossil fuels have become difficult to buy.
“Japan is a country without energy resources, so we must use whatever is available in a balanced way.”
A nuclear focus
The plan also emphasises nuclear energy sources. It switches tack from reducing Japan’s dependency on nuclear to Tokyo planning to source 20% of its power via nuclear energy by 2040.
The new focus is likely due to the country’s need to meet the growing power demands of AI data centres and semiconductors.
Notably, the change is a shift away from policies that followed the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 and, as such, has garnered criticism from citizens and organisations.
Critics state that Japan should be deprioritising nuclear due to the risks is poses to the seismically-active island nation, and prioritising alternative energy sources instead – such as solar.
