Energy Efficiency In Japan

Based on presentations on Japan's energy efficiency and conservation at ISEAS Energy Forums. Since the 1970s, Japan, which depends almost wholly on imported energy supplies from abroad, has been conducting various efforts on energy conservation and diversification of energy sources. As a result, Japan has achieved the lowest primary energy consumption per GDP in the world.

This book describes structural analysis methods for examining energy demand and energy efficiency that are important in formulating regional economic and environmental policies. Beginning with ways of ascertaining regional energy demand, it describes methods for developing energy efficiency indicators and their determinants. Fluctuations in regional energy demand are largely explained by analyzing variations in energy intensity, and there is a strong association between energy efficiency indicators and energy intensity. The energy efficiency indicator proposed is consistent with fluctuations in energy intensity and is highly accurate. According to the empirical analysis using this indicator, energy efficiency is high in regions where population concentration has risen, as typified by "compact cities." As such, the book highlights the need to increase regional energy efficiency, to achieve regional economic growth despite growing environmental constraints, and the importance of forming and developing clusters to this end. The book is a valuable resource for planners, researchers and government employees.

This open access book evaluates, from an economic perspective, various measures introduced in Japan to prevent climate change. Although various countries have implemented such policies in response to the pressing issue of climate change, the effectiveness of those programs has not been sufficiently compared. In particular, policy evaluations in the Asian region are far behind those in North America and Europe due to data limitations and political reasons. The first part of the book summarizes measures in different sectors in Japan to prevent climate change, such as emissions trading and carbon tax, and assesses their impact. The second part shows how those policies have changed the behavior of firms and households. In addition, it presents macro-economic simulations that consider the potential of renewable energy. Lastly, based on these comprehensive assessments, it compares the effectiveness of measures to prevent climate change in Japan and Western countries. Providing valuable insights, this book will appeal to both academic researchers and policymakers seeking cost-effective measures against climate change.

An edited volume on factors determining success or failure of energy technology innovation, for researchers and policy makers.

This book presents an in-depth empirical analysis of consumer response to alternative policies for energy conservation. Its main focus is on innovative policy instruments that have attracted increasing attention from academics and energy conservation practitioners alike: critical peak pricing, conservation requests, in-home displays, and home energy reports. The book investigates the effects of these policy instruments on residential demand for electricity. The data is drawn from a series of randomized field experiments for the years 2012–2013 in Japan, where serious concerns about power shortages have emerged in the wake of the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. By applying econometric techniques to the quantitative analysis of residential power consumption, the book demonstrates how consumers respond to innovative instruments for energy conservation. It also offers new perspectives on how these instruments can be used more effectively and explores the potential for their practical implementation. This highly informative book is essential reading for energy specialists in both academic and professional contexts.

This book, edited by members of the Committee of Future Energy and Social Systems, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan, describes energy technology roadmaps for Japan post-Fukushima. In this work, energy technology experts show quantitatively the advantages and disadvantages of major energy technologies with which they are involved, in a unified chapter structure with figures illustrating the technology development perspectives. The future energy vision for Japan together with the pathway is quantitatively discussed, explicitly considering the contributions of individual energy technology by referring to the technology roadmaps. The pathways for future energy vision thus derived will be useful not only for all energy researchers but also for graduate students in the field to grasp the potential of the technologies and future energy system of Japan.

Green Japan critically examines the Japanese effort to combine economic growth with commitments to environmental sustainability.