Jump to content

Energy in Japan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Electricity pylons in Japan

Japan is a major consumer of energy, ranking fifth in the world by primary energy use. Fossil fuels accounted for 88% of Japan's primary energy in 2019.[1][2] Japan imports most of its energy due to scarce domestic resources. As of 2022, the country imports 97% of its oil and is the larger liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer globally.[3]

Japan is increasing its reliance on renewable energy to replace imported fossil fuels, and in 2019 renewable energy accounted for 7.8% of primary energy supply. Japan has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, setting a target to reduce GHG emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030.[4]

Japan initiated its first commercial nuclear power reactor in 1966, establishing nuclear energy as a strategic national priority from 1973 onwards. Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, this strategy underwent re-evaluation but was ultimately upheld. Prior to the accident, nuclear reactors contributed about 30% of Japan's electricity, with the country now aiming for nuclear energy to account for at least 20% of its electricity production by 2030.[5] The Fukushima accident also lead to a 16% reduction in total primary energy supply (TPES) from 2010 to 2019.

Overview

[edit]
GDP versus energy consumption, 1968–2012
Development of carbon dioxide emissions
Energy in Japan[6]
Year Population
(million)
Prim. energy
(TWh)
Production
(TWh)
Import
(TWh)
Electricity
(TWh)
CO2-emission
(Mt)
2004 127.7 6,201 1,125 5,126 1,031 1,215
2007 127.8 5,972 1,052 5,055 1,083 1,236
2008 127.7 5,767 1,031 4,872 1,031 1,151
2009 127.3 5,489 1,091 4,471 997 1,093
2010 127.4 5,778 1,126 4,759 1,070 1,143
2012 127.8 5,367 601 4,897 1,003 1,186
2012R 127.6 5,260 329 5,062 989 1,223
2013 127.3 5,288 325 5,082 998 1,235
2020 125.8 4,642 1004.8 - 969 1,024
Change 2004–10 -0.2% -6.8% 0.0% -7.2% 3.7% -5.9%
Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses that are 2/3 for nuclear power[7]

2012R = CO2 calculation criteria changed, numbers updated

History

[edit]

Japan's rapid industrial growth since the end of World War II doubled the nation's energy consumption every five years into the 1990s. During the 1960–72 period of accelerated growth, energy consumption grew much faster than GNP, doubling Japan's consumption of world energy. By 1976, with only 3% of the world's population, Japan was consuming 6% of global energy supplies.

Compared with other nations, electricity in Japan is relatively expensive,[8] and, since the loss of nuclear power after the earthquake and tsunami disaster at Fukushima, the cost of electricity has risen significantly.[9]

Energy sources

[edit]
A self-service Eneos gas station in Ebina, Kanagawa

In 1950, coal supplied half of Japan's energy needs, hydroelectricity one-third, and oil the rest. By 2001, the contribution of oil had increased to 50.2% of the total, with rises also in the use of nuclear power and natural gas. Japan now depends heavily on imported fossil fuels to meet its energy demand.[10]

Japan—primary energy use[11]
Fuel 1950 1988 2001[11] 2017[12]
Oil 17% 57.3% 50.2% 40.6%
Natural gas 10.1% 13.6% 24.6%
Coal 50% 18.1% 16.8% 24.3%
Nuclear 9.0% 14.4% 10.4%
Hydro 33% 4.6% 4.0%
Other 1.3% 1.0%

Oil

[edit]

In the wake of the two oil crises of the 1970s (1973 and 1979), Japan made efforts to diversify energy resources in order to increase energy security. Japan's domestic oil consumption dropped slightly, from around 5.1 million barrels (810,000 m3) of oil per day in the late 1980s to 4.9 million barrels (780,000 m3) per day in 1990. While the country's use of oil declined, its use of nuclear power and natural gas rose substantially. Several Japanese industries, for example electric power companies and steelmakers, switched from petroleum to coal, most of which is imported. Japan's proved oil reserves total an estimated 44 million barrels.[13]

The state stockpile equals about 92 days of consumption and the privately held stockpiles equal another 77 days of consumption for a total of 169 days or 579 million barrels (92,100,000 m3).[14][15] The Japanese SPR is run by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation.[16] Japan was the fifth-largest oil consumer and fourth-largest crude oil importer in the world in 2019.[17]

Oil demand has been waning in Japan, especially leading up to and since the Tohoku earthquake in 2011. While oil consumption was over 5 million barrels per day (bpd) for decades, this had declined to 3.22 million bpd by 2017.[18] As of 2016, India,[19] Saudi Arabia[20] and Texas[21] have overtaken Japan in oil consumption. A further decline to 3.03 mln bpd or just under 176 million kiloliters (preliminary) was posted in 2018.[22] Crude consumption further declined during first half of 2020 to 303/141 = 2.15 million bpd, but that figure probably doesn't include refined products that are directly increasingly imported rather than converted.

In 2022, Japan's crude oil imports rose to 2.5 million barrels per day (b/d), an increase from 2.3 million b/d in 2021, despite a decade-long trend of declining imports, which are now almost 0.9 million b/d less than the 2013 levels. The Middle East remained the predominant source, accounting for 93% of imports. Concurrently, Japan's crude oil acquisitions from Russia declined to 1% of the total, a decrease from 4% in the preceding year, in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[3]

Natural gas

[edit]

Japan ranked as the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG).[17]

Because domestic natural gas production is minimal, rising demand is met by greater imports. Japan's main LNG suppliers in 2016 were Australia (27%), Malaysia (18%), Qatar (15%), Russia (9%), and Indonesia (8%).[23] In 1987, suppliers were Indonesia (51.3%), Malaysia (20.4%), Brunei (17.8%), United Arab Emirates (7.3%), and the United States (3.2%). In 2017, Japan consumed 4.7 quadrillion Btu (1377 TWh) of imported methane.[12]

Natural Gas Consumption in Japan from 2012 to 2022 (ft/Day)[24]
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
11.900 12.000 12.100 11.500 11.200 11.300 11.200 10.500 10.000 10.000 9.700

The new Japanese LNG strategy published in May 2016 envisages the creation of a liquid market and an international LNG hub in Japan. This promises to radically change the traditional JCC (crude oil) based pricing system in Japan, but also potentially in the Pacific Basin as a whole. But the path to hub creation and hub pricing in the early 2020s envisaged by the Strategy will not be straightforward.[25]

In 2022, Japan's LNG imports decreased to 3.3 Tcf from 3.6 Tcf in 2021, yet it remained the world's leading LNG importer, surpassing China. Australia's contribution to Japan's imports increased from 36% to 42%, affirming its status as Japan's primary LNG supplier. Conversely, Qatar's share fell from 13% to 4%. Despite Japan's commitment to reducing energy dependence on Russia, in line with the G7's price cap on Russian crude oil, its LNG imports from Russia remained steady, supported by an exemption for the Sakhalin-2 project.[3]

Japan has set a policy goal to reduce the share of LNG in its power generation from 34% in 2022 to 20% by 2030. As the largest single source of power in 2022, accounting for 34%, LNG consumption has seen a decline since 2019, influenced by the reactivation of nuclear plants, slow economic growth, high international LNG prices, and enhanced energy efficiency. Japan holds the largest LNG storage capacity in the world, estimated at 425.1 billion cubic feet, which plays a critical role in managing seasonal demand fluctuations and potential supply disruptions. Furthermore, from 2009 to 2023, the levels of LNG inventory in Japan varied between 32% and 66% of its storage capacity.[26]

Coal

[edit]

As of 2019, a third of the electricity in Japan was generated from coal and is the third-largest importer of coal behind China and India in 2019.[17] Government targets aimed to reduce that proportion to a quarter through closure of older, less efficient coal power plants.[27] In 2017, Japan consumed 4.738 quadrillion Btu (1,388 TWh) of imported coal.[12] In July 2020, the minister of Industry, Hiroshi Kajiyama, announced that around 100 coal plants would be shut down by 2030.[28] In 2023 Japan said it would not start building any more new unabated (without carbon capture and storage) coal plants.[29] Japan plans to phase out unabated coal by 2035.[30]

Coal Consumption in Japan from 2014 to 2022 (Mst)[31]
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
215,079 212,558 212,493 214,393 208,504 206,517 203,062 201,875 206,881

ThIn 2022, Japan's coal imports remained at 202 million short tons. Russian imports significantly decreased from 22 million to 13 million short tons, offset by increases from Indonesia, Canada, and Australia. Bituminous coal made up 89% of steam coal imports, slightly down from the previous year. The main sources—Australia, Indonesia, Russia, and the United States—contributed 94% of the total, a 3% decrease from 2021.[3]

The contribution of coal-fired power generation decreased from 30.2% in 2016 to 26.5% in 2021, but then saw an increase to 27.8% in 2022.[32]

Japan has set a policy goal to reduce the share of coal in electricity generation from 31% in 2022 to 19% by 2030. As part of this initiative, there are plans to close or suspend about 90% of inefficient coal-fired power plants, which amounts to approximately 100 facilities, thereby reducing Japan’s total installed coal capacity by about 40%. Additionally, to further mitigate environmental impact, new coal-fired power plants are required to incorporate emission reduction measures, such as blending coal with 20% ammonia or 25% wood pellets to significantly lower CO2 emissions.[33]

Nuclear power

[edit]
The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the worst nuclear accident in 25 years, displaced 50,000 households after radioactive isotopes were dispersed into the air, soil and sea.[34] Radiation checks led to bans of some shipments of vegetables and fish.[35]

Following Eisenhower's Atoms for Peace speech, the United States helped Japan develop their nuclear power program. When Japan decided to embark on the nuclear power field, it imported technology from the United States and obtained uranium from Canada, France, South Africa, and Australia. The first nuclear reactor was commissioned in 1966, from then to 2010, 54 more nuclear reactors had opened, with total generation capacity of 48,847 MW.[36] The ratio of nuclear power generation to total electricity production increased from 2% in 1973 to around 30% in March 2011.[37] During the 1980s, Japan's nuclear power program was strongly opposed by environmental groups, particularly after the Three Mile Island accident in the United States. In the 2000s, Japan had a few of the modern Advanced Boiling Water Reactor, including some of the first new advanced Generation III reactors. At Rokkasho, Aomori a facility was built to enrich nuclear fuel, deal with nuclear waste, and recycle spent nuclear fuel.

After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, some nuclear reactors were damaged, causing much uncertainty and fear about the release of radioactive material, as well as highlighting the ongoing concerns over seismic design standards (see Nuclear power in Japan §Seismicity).[38] On 5 May 2012, Japan shut down the last nuclear reactor, the first time there has been no nuclear power production since 1970.[39] On 16 June, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda ordered the restart of Ōi nuclear plant's reactors number 3 and 4, saying that people's livelihood needs to be protected.[40] Ōi nuclear plant's reactor No. 3 was restarted on 2 July,[41] and No. 4 began operation on 21 July.[42] However, in September 2013 the Ōi nuclear plant was shut down in order to have extensive safety inspections performed.[43] By late 2015, both of the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant's reactors had reopened and restarted producing nuclear energy. Other nuclear plants, such as the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant, have received permission to reopen, and other nuclear reactors are beginning the process of restarting.[44]

In June 2015, the Japanese government released an energy proposal that includes the revival of nuclear power to account for Japan's energy needs. The proposal calls for nuclear energy to increase to about 20% of the total by 2030.[37] This reverses a decision by the previous Democratic Party, the government will re-open nuclear plants, aiming for "a realistic and balanced energy structure".

Currently operating reactors are:

Following the Fukushima disaster, the general public has opposed the use of nuclear energy.[54][55]

Renewables

[edit]

The Fourth Strategic Energy Plan set the renewable share goal to be 24% by 2030. In the next 15 years[timeframe?], Japan intends on investing $700 billion into renewable energy.[56] One initiative the Japanese government has implemented in order to boost the amount of renewable energy produced and purchased in Japan is the feed-in tariff scheme. The scheme encourages companies to invest in renewable energy by providing set prices for various types of renewable energy. The initiatives appear to be working, as renewable energy generation capacity now[when?] stands at 26.2 GW, compared to 20.9 GW in 2012.[57]

On 3 July 2018, Japan's government pledged to increase renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, from 15% to 22–24% by 2030. Nuclear power will provide 20% of the country's energy needs as an emissions-free energy source. This will help Japan meet climate change commitments.[58]

In October 2021 Japan's cabinet approved a new target of 36-38% of renewable share in power generation by 2030. The nuclear target of 20-22% remained unchanged.[59]

In 2022, renewables are estimated to make up 22.7% of Japan's overall electricity generation, including consumption at the site of generation, which is a slight rise from 22.4% in the previous year.[32]

Hydroelectricity

[edit]

The country's main renewable energy source is hydroelectricity, with an installed capacity of about 27 GW and a production of 69.2 TWh of electricity in 2009.[60] As of September 2011, Japan had 1,198 small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 3,225 MW. The smaller plants accounted for 6.6 percent of Japan's total hydropower capacity. The remaining capacity was filled by large and medium hydropower stations, typically sited at large dams. Cost per kilowatt-hour for power from smaller plants was high at ¥15–100, hindering further development of the energy source.[61]

Hydropower capacity in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (MW)[62]: 6 
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
49,597 50,035 50,058 50,015 50,037 50,033 50,033 50,009 50,015 50,033

Solar power

[edit]

Japan was the world's second largest producer of solar power in the early 2000s, although solar was a very minor contribution to the total at that time. The country was overtaken by Germany in 2005, a year in which Japan had 38% of the world supply compared to Germany's 39%.[63][64] Since then, Japan had been slow to increase solar capacity compared to other countries until 2012.

Solar energy capacity in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (MW)[62]: 21 
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
23,339 34,150 42,040 49,500 56,162 63,192 71,868 78,413 83,057 87,068

On 1 July 2012, after the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, new tariffs for renewable energy were introduced by the Japanese government. The tariffs, set at ¥42 per kWh over the next 20 years to solar power producers, were among the highest in the world.[65][66] With the incentives in place, Japan added 1,718 MW of solar power in 2012. By the end of the year, Japan's total solar capacity was 7.4 GW.[67] Japan has seen sustained growth of solar PV capacity after 2012, reaching a cumulative installed capacity of 34 GW by the end of 2015, generating 3.5% of the national electricity consumption in that year.

In 2022, electricity produced by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems amounted to 9.9% of the total annual electricity output, reflecting a growth of 0.6 percentage points from 9.3% in 2021.[32]

Wind power

[edit]
Turbines at the Nunobiki Plateau Wind Farm, one of the largest wind farms in Japan with 33 turbines

In Japan's electricity sector, wind power generates a small proportion of the country's electricity. It has been estimated that Japan has the potential for 144 gigawatts (GW) for onshore wind and 608 GW of offshore wind capacity.[68] As of 2023, the country had a total installed capacity of 5.2 GW.

As of 2018, government targets for wind power deployment were relatively low when compared to other countries, at 1.7% of electricity production by 2030.[69]

In December 2020, the Japanese government announced plans to install up to 45 GW of offshore wind power by 2040.[70]
Wind energy capacity in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (MW)[62]: 14 
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
2,753 2,809 3,205 3,483 3,498 3,952 4,120 4,262 4,372 5,232

In 2022, wind power contributed to 0.85% of electricity production, experiencing a slight decrease from 0.88% in the previous year.[32]

Geothermal energy

[edit]
Matsukawa geothermal power station, the first commercial geothermal power station in Japan

Japan has favorable sites for geothermal power because of its proximity to the Izu–Bonin–Mariana Arc. In 2007, Japan had 535.2 MW of installed electric generating capacity, about 5% of the world total.[71][72] Geothermal power plays a minor role in the energy sector in the country: in 2013 it supplied 2596 GWh of electricity, representing about 0.25% of the country's total electricity supply.[73]

Development of new geothermal power stations essentially stopped since the mid 1990s, mainly due to the strong resistance from local communities. Most of the potential sites are located in government-protected areas and in tourist destinations, thanks to the presence of traditional hot springs or onsen.[72][74] Local communities in these areas are often dependent on revenue from tourists visiting onsen, and are opposed to geothermal developments because of the negative impact that the industry may have on the scenery and the resulting damage to the tourism industry and the local economy.[75][76]

However, interest in geothermal energy has been increasing in recent years due to the Japanese energy crisis following the Fukushima disaster and the subsequent closure of most of the country's nuclear power stations. Businesses and the government are currently considering over 60 possible sites for new geothermal power development. Estimates put the total capacity potential of geothermal power at 23 GW, the third largest amount in the world after the United States and Indonesia.[74]

An estimation suggests that about 1,500 hot water wells and springs could generate as much as 723 MWe without additional drillings.[72]
Geothermal energy capacity in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (MW)[62]: 43 
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
508 516 526 471 473 481 487 487 437 428

Waste and biomass energy

[edit]

As of September 2011, Japan had 190 generators attached to municipal waste units and 70 independent plants using biomass fuel to produce energy. In addition, 14 other generators were used to burn both coal and biomass fuel. In 2008, Japan produced 322 million tons of biomass fuel and converted 76% of it into energy.[77]

Solid biofuels and renewable waste capacity in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (MW)[62]: 33 
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
1,615 1,878 2,179 2,561 2,974 3,436 3,828 4,471 5,307 6,276

In 2022, the proportion of electricity generated from biomass power rose to 4.6%, an increase from 4.1% in the preceding year.[32]

Ocean energy

[edit]

In 2012, the government announced plans to build experimental tidal power and wave power plants in coastal areas. Construction on the projects, the locations for which have not been determined, would begin in 2013.[78]

Electricity sector

[edit]
Electricity production in Japan by source
Map of Japan's electricity distribution network, showing incompatible systems between regions
The Sakuma Frequency Converter Station

In 2014, Japan ranked fifth in the world by electricity production, after the United States, China, Russia, and India with 934 TWh produced during that year.[79] It is estimated that Japan's net electricity generation was at about 950 terawatthours (TWh) in 2019 and has declined overall by about 11% since 2010.[80] In 2019, Japan's net electricity generation decreased nearly 4% from the 2018 level as a result of warm winter weather and lower industrial output.[17][81][82]

In terms of per capita electricity consumption, the average person in Japan consumed 8,459 kWh in 2004 compared to 14,240 kWh for the average American. In that respect it ranked 18th among the countries of the world. Its per capita electricity consumption increased by 21.8% between 1990 and 2004.[83]

Japan had 282 GW of total installed electricity generating capacity in 2010, the third largest in the world behind the United States and China. However, after the damage by the 2011 earthquake, capacity is estimated to be around 243 GW in mid-2011.[10] It was one of the world's largest users of solar energy, in fourth place behind Germany, Italy, and China. With 53 active nuclear power generating reactor units in 2009, that year Japan ranked third in the world in that respect, after the United States (104 reactors) and France (59).[84] Almost one quarter (24.93%) of its electricity production was from nuclear plants, compared to 76.18% for France and 19.66% for the United States.[85] However, after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, all plants eventually shut down in May 2012 and Ōi Nuclear Power Plant was restarted and operational between June 2012 and September 2013. On 11 August 2015[86] and 1 November 2015, the two nuclear reactor of the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant were restarted respectively.[87][88][89]

Electricity generation in 2021[90]

  Oil (3.21%)
  Natural gas (39.04%)
  Biofuels and Waste (2.85%)
  Coal (29.98%)
  Wind (0.94%)
  Hydro (8.28%)
  Solar (9.28%)
  Nuclear (6.41%)

Since the generation disruption caused by the Fukushima disaster, rapid steps have been made to liberalize the electricity market.[91][92] One way this was done in Japan is through the feed-in-tariff scheme. This was announced in 2012 as a direct consequence of the Fukushima disaster. The feed-in-tariff scheme encourages utility operators and companies to purchase and invest in renewable energy.[93] The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry set prices for various renewable energy sources to encourage the production and consumption of renewable energy. In April 2016 domestic and small business customers became able to select from over 250 supplier companies competitively selling electricity. Also wholesale electricity trading on the Japan Electric Power Exchange has been encouraged.[94][95]

Japan produced 1004.8 TWh of electricity in 2021, close to 4% of the electricity generated in the world and 8% of that in Asia-Pacific (3rd largest behind China and India). Japan consumed 17.03 EJ, 3% of the world's consumption and 7% of Asia-Pacific's consumption (3rd largest behind China and India).[96]

Nuclear energy's contribution to electricity generation has fluctuated, dropping to zero in 2014, then climbing to 6.5% by 2019. It fell to 4.3% in 2020, slightly rose to 5.9% in 2021, and then decreased once more to 4.8% in 2022.[32]

National grid

[edit]

Unlike most other industrial countries, Japan doesn't have a single national grid but instead has separate eastern and western grids. The standard voltage at power outlets is 100 V, but the grids operate at different frequencies: 50 Hz in Eastern Japan and 60 Hz in Western Japan.[97] The grids are connected together by three frequency converter stations (Higashi-Shimizu, Shin Shinano and Sakuma), but these can only handle 1 GW in total.[98] A converter station also exists at Minami-Fukumitsu. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami resulted in 11 reactors being taken offline with a loss of 9.7GW.[98] The three converter stations did not have the capacity to transfer enough power from Japan's western power grid to significantly help the eastern grid.

The two grids were originally developed by separate companies. Tokyo Electric Light Co was established in 1883, which also established electric power in Japan. In 1885, demand had grown enough that TELCO bought generation equipment from AEG of Germany.[98] The same happened in the western parts of Japan with General Electric being the supplier to Osaka Electric Lamp.[98] GE's equipment used the US standard 60 Hz, while AEG's equipment used the European standard of 50 Hz.[98]

Utilities

[edit]

In Japan, the electricity market is divided into 10 regulated companies:

Hydrogen energy

[edit]

In March 2016, METI set a target of 40,000 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on Japan's roads by 2020 and 160 fueling stations.[99]

Carbon emissions

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Japan 2021 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Japan 2021 Energy Policy Review" (PDF). International Energy Agency.
  3. ^ a b c d "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  4. ^ "How Japan is accelerating efforts towards a carbon-neutral society". World Economic Forum. 16 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Nuclear Power in Japan | Japanese Nuclear Energy - World Nuclear Association". world-nuclear.org. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  6. ^ IEA Key World Energy Statistics Statistics 2015 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, 2014 (2012R as in November 2015 Archived 5 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine + 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, 2013 Archived 2 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, 2012 Archived 9 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 2011 Archived 27 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 2010 Archived 11 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 2009 Archived 7 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 2006 Archived 12 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15 https://www.iea.org/countries/japan
  7. ^ Energy in Sweden 2010 Archived 16 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Facts and figures, The Swedish Energy Agency, Table 8 Losses in nuclear power stations Table 9 Nuclear power brutto
  8. ^ Nagata, Kazuaki, "Utilities have monopoly on power", Japan Times, 6 September 2011, p. 3.
  9. ^ Nakamoto, Michiyo (4 April 2012). "Tepco faces revolt over price rise". Financial Times. FT.com. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Japan" (PDF). Country Analysis Briefs. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Retrieved 2 July 2012. [permanent dead link]
  11. ^ a b Country Analysis Briefs – Japan Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, US Energy Information Administration, published January 2004, accessdate 10 May 2007
  12. ^ a b c "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Oil and gas reserves and production". 10 April 2014. doi:10.1787/9789264208292-graph7-en. Retrieved 12 November 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. ^ "Energy Security in East Asia". Institute for the Analysis of Global Security. 13 August 2004.
  15. ^ "Energy Security Initiative" (PDF). Asia Pacific Energy Research Center. 1 January 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2006.
  16. ^ "Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation". JOGMEC. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  17. ^ a b c d "Country Analysis Executive Summary: Japan" (PDF). U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved 13 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ^ Editorial, Reuters. "UPDATE 1-Japan 2017 thermal coal imports hit record, LNG up for..." AF. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018. {{cite news}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "India beats Japan in oil use, only next to US, China". The Economic Times. 9 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Saudi Arabia Oil Consumption, 1965 – 2021 | CEIC Data".
  21. ^ "Texas - SEDS - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov.
  22. ^ "UPDATE 1-Japan's 2018 crude imports fall to 39-year low as population shrinks". CNBC. 23 January 2019. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  23. ^ "Country Analysis Brief: Japan". US Energy Information Administration. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  24. ^ "Japan Natural Gas: Consumption, 1965 – 2024 | CEIC Data". www.ceicdata.com. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  25. ^ Stern, Jonathan (2016). "The new Japanese LNG strategy : a major step towards hub-based gas pricing in Asia". Oxford Energy Comment. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.
  26. ^ "Japan's energy policies aim to reduce use of fossil fuels in electricity generation - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  27. ^ Tabuchi, Hiroko (3 February 2020). "Japan Races to Build New Coal-Burning Power Plants, Despite the Climate Risks". The New York Times.
  28. ^ Johnston, Eric (10 July 2020). "Japan's coal closure plan a historic milestone, but what's next?". The Japan Times. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  29. ^ "Japan Pledges to End Construction of New Unabated Coal Plants". Bloomberg.com. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  30. ^ "G7 countries agree to end use of coal power by 2035, says UK minister". www.ft.com. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  31. ^ "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d e f ISEP (26 April 2023). "2022 Share of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources in Japan (Preliminary) | Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Japan's energy policies aim to reduce use of fossil fuels in electricity generation - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  34. ^ Tomoko Yamazaki and Shunichi Ozasa (27 June 2011). "Fukushima Retiree Leads Anti-Nuclear Shareholders at Tepco Annual Meeting". Bloomberg.
  35. ^ Mari Saito (7 May 2011). "Japan anti-nuclear protesters rally after PM call to close plant". Reuters.
  36. ^ "Nuclear Power Plants in Japan". The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  37. ^ a b "Nuclear Power in Japan". World Nuclear Association. 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  38. ^ Johnston, Eric, "Current nuclear debate to set nation's course for decades", Japan Times, 23 September 2011, p. 1.
  39. ^ Batty, David (5 May 2012). "Japan shuts down last working nuclear reactor". The Guardian. London.
  40. ^ "Ohi reactors cleared for restart". World-nuclear-news.org. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  41. ^ "Japan restarts first reactor since Fukushima – World news – Asia-Pacific". MSNBC. 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  42. ^ "Oi nuclear plant's No 4 reactor begins generating power". Zeenews.india.com. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  43. ^ "Japan halts last nuclear reactor at Ohi". BBC. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  44. ^ "Four nuclear reactors to reopen in Japan". Euronews. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  45. ^ "Kyushu Electric Homepage:Press release".
  46. ^ "Kyushu Electric restarts nuclear reactor". 9 December 2016.
  47. ^ "No. 4 reactor at Oi nuclear plant restarted after nearly five years offline". The Japan Times Online. 10 May 2018. ISSN 0447-5763. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  48. ^ ""OE Information related to Genkai Unit 3 restart"".
  49. ^ ""Genkai unit 4 supplying power again"". www.world-nuclear-news.org.
  50. ^ "Start of Power Generation at Takahama Unit No. 4" (PDF).
  51. ^ "Japan's Fifth Re-Activated Reactor -- Takahama 3 -- Is Restarted".
  52. ^ "Fukui nuclear unit becomes Japan's first to operate beyond 40-year limit". The japan times.
  53. ^ "Japan restarts nuclear reactor after 2 years". Anadolu Agency.
  54. ^ "Japan restarts second nuclear reactor despite public opposition". The Guardian. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  55. ^ "Opposition to nuclear energy grows in Japan". Deutsche Welle. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  56. ^ "4th Strategic Energy Plan" (PDF). Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. April 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  57. ^ Takase, Kae (27 May 2014). "Renewable Energy Burst in Japan". Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  58. ^ "Japan aims for 24% renewable energy but keeps nuclear central". Phys.org. 3 July 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  59. ^ "Japan aims for 36-38% of energy to come from renewables by 2030". Reuters. 22 October 2021.
  60. ^ See Hydroelectricity#World hydroelectric capacity
  61. ^ Johnston, Eric, "Small hydropower plants keep it local", Japan Times, 29 September 2011, p. 3.
  62. ^ a b c d e IRENA, International Renewable Energy Agency (2024). "RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2024" (PDF). www.irena.org. p. 33. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  63. ^ Japan lags behind Europe in solar power. The Daily Yomiuri, published 2007-05-10, accessed 14 May 2007.
  64. ^ Johnston, Eric, "Despite headwinds, solar energy making progress, advocates say", Japan Times, 24 September 2011, p. 3.
  65. ^ Watanabe, Chisaki, (Bloomberg), "Japan to become No. 2 solar market Archived 24 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine", Japan Times, 4 July 2012, p. 7
  66. ^ Johnston, Eric, "New feed-in tariff system a rush to get renewables in play", Japan Times, 29 May 2012, p. 3
  67. ^ Harlan, Chico (19 June 2013). "After Fukushima, Japan beginning to see the light in solar energy". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  68. ^ Watanabe, Chisaki (27 February 2014). "GE Says Japan Has More Potential to Harness Wind Power". Bloomberg.
  69. ^ "Japan behind on wind power | The Japan Times". The Japan Times. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  70. ^ "Japan plans to install up to 45 GW of offshore wind power by 2040". Reuters. 15 December 2020.
  71. ^ Bertani, Ruggero (September 2007), "Characteristics, Development and utilization of geothermal resources" (PDF), Geo-Heat Centre Quarterly Bulletin, vol. 28, no. 2, Klamath Falls, Oregon: Oregon Institute of Technology, pp. 1–9, ISSN 0276-1084, archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2010, retrieved 16 April 2009
  72. ^ a b c "Geothermal Energy. Japan: Resources and Technologies" (PDF). The Geothermal Research Society of Japan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  73. ^ "Japan: Electricity and Heat for 2013". www.iea.org. International Energy Agency (IEA). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  74. ^ a b Demetriou, Danielle (16 March 2014). "Japan's first new geothermal power plant in 15 years to open next month". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  75. ^ "Japanese spa town in a lather over geothermal plans". The Guardian. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  76. ^ "Japan's spa lovers fuel fire against geothermal giants". The Globe and Mail. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  77. ^ Johnston, Eric, "With backing, biomass can help meet energy needs", Japan Times, 30 September 2011, p. 3.
  78. ^ Jiji Press, "Wave, wind power project planned", Japan Times, 20 March 2012, p. 7.
  79. ^ "Electricity – Consumption". The World Factbook. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  80. ^ Use., United States. United States. Energy Information Administration. Office of Energy Markets and End. International energy annual. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, U.S. Dept. of Energy. OCLC 1098365668.
  81. ^ "Falling output and retail sales signal Japan's economic strains". The Japan Times. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  82. ^ Sim, Walter (1 January 2020). "Snow shortage, warmer winter fuel climate change worries in Japan". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  83. ^ "Electricity Consumption Per Capita 2004 – Country Rankings". Allcountries.org. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  84. ^ "Nuclear Power Plants by Country 2009". Photius.com. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  85. ^ "Nuclear Share in Electricity Generation by Country 2008". Allcountries.org. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  86. ^ Startup of Sendai Nuclear Power Unit No.1 Archived 25 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine (11 August 2015)
  87. ^ "Japan Restarts First Nuclear Power Plant since Fukushima". BBC News. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  88. ^ "Japan restarts first nuclear reactor since Fukushima disaster". The Guardian. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  89. ^ "Sendai No. 2 reactor in full-capacity operation". Japan News (The Yomiuri Shimbun). 1 November 2015. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  90. ^ "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  91. ^ "Japan electricity markets: structural changes and liberalization". Eurotechnology Japan. 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  92. ^ "What does liberalization of the electricity market mean?". Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. METI. 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  93. ^ "Feed-in Tariff Scheme in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  94. ^ Stephen Stapczynski, Emi Urabe (28 March 2016). "Japan's Power Market Opening Challenges Entrenched Players: Q&A". Bloomberg. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  95. ^ "Electricity market shake-up mainly benefiting Tokyo and Kansai". The Japan Times. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  96. ^ "Statistical Review of World Energy 2021" (PDF). Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  97. ^ "Electricity in Japan". Japan-guide.com. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  98. ^ a b c d e Williams, Martyn (18 March 2011). "A legacy from the 1800s leaves Tokyo facing blackouts". Computerworld. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  99. ^ Umair Irfan, "Japan Bets on a Hydrogen-Fueled Future", Scientific American, 3 May 2016
[edit]