Japan’s New Emissions Trading System: Aiming High, but Going Slow

Japan has finally launched its long-awaited CO2 emissions trading system (ETS). After an earlier five-month trial, last week the system began full-fledged operations on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. I...

PART I: Can Japan Return to the Market With Innovative Solar Technology?

In the 2000s, the solar industry was dominated by Japanese engineering and innovation. Solar manufacturers such as Sharp, Kyocera, Sanyo (now Panasonic) and Mitsubishi Electric were leading suppliers...

Japan Is Open for Tourists, but How About Overseas Talent?

At the start of 2020, just as Japan was getting a new wave of overseas investment into the energy sector via the upcoming auctions for offshore wind, Covid-19 hit the world and locked down borders fo...

Japan To Create Energy Security Through New Strategic LNG Reserve

Japan has announced plans to create a strategic LNG reserve to ensure the world’s largest importer has enough natural gas to meet domestic demand in an increasingly competitive market. The reserve co...

Kawasaki City’s Aims To Turn Oil Refining Heartland Into Clean Energy Hub

In the mid-1950’s, Japan began developing vast industrial complexes along its eastern coastline to support the development of the country’s petroleum, petrochemical and steel industries during a post...