In recent weeks, Japan has witnessed an intensifying debate over Chinese-made solar power equipment, fueled by growing concerns about its potential to be controlled remotely by malign actors and to interfere with the grid.

Spurred by investigative reports in international media, these revelations prompted the government to initiate a probe into China-made inverters, crucial devices in an electricity system. METI and affiliated organizations are now investigating. Concerns are heightened by the blackout on the Iberian Peninsula earlier this year.

This highlights the technical and security vulnerabilities of Japan’s electrical grid, which faces reassessment amid growing calls for upgrades to tackle issues such as limited interregional connectivity, aging infrastructure, and insufficient capacity to integrate variable renewables like solar and wind.

The allegations concerning Chinese PV and grid technology raise a critical question: Do they reflect genuine security concerns or is China unfairly scrutinized amid broader industrial and geopolitical anxieties over its market dominance?