Occto’s Grid Plan Shows Changing Direction of Japan’s Energy Mix

Japan’s next edition of its Basic Energy Plan is not due until next year, but a glimpse into how the nation’s power mix is likely to change can be seen in a recent document submitted by OCCTO, the gr...

Japan Prepares To Bet Big on Deep-water Offshore Wind in the EEZ

Japan is updating its ocean policy with an eye on utilizing its exclusive economic zone to expand the wind power generation. This should turbocharge the local deployment of floating turbines amid ris...

Part II: Japan Looks to a New Tech to Kickstart Its Solar Boom

Last week we published Part I of this article, which outlined the rise and decline of Japan’s solar panel manufacturing industry. This week, we focus on a new innovative technology, perovskite solar ...

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...