48 K. HASEGAWA
located only approximately 7 km from, and was severely contaminated
by, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. This project cost 9.2 billion
Yen and was financed by citizens and corporate investment. Following
the construction period from November 2016 to March 2018, this plant
started operating fully from April 2018. Income from this solar PV plant
is being used to support elderly residents and young farmers (Kudou
2018). PV solar plants built on abandoned farming land are a symbol
of recovery and the future of these local communities. Local citizens, citizens nationwide, companies, and media are supporting these projects. In
2013, Fukushima Prefecture established the goal of becoming a 100%
renewable energy prefecture by 2040 and becoming a world leader in
renewable energy.
Conclusions
Even after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the second severe nuclear accident after the 1986 Chernobyl accident, Japan’s energy policy remains
largely unchanged, with only minor modifications due to a relatively
closed political-opportunity structure and the relative weakness of the
counter-veiling power of opposition political parties and civil society.
The central government and EPCOs companies are still reluctant to
support the expansion of renewable energy sources. On the other hand,
Japan’s model of “community power” or community wind power in
some areas, including Fukushima Prefecture, which stresses local initiatives, local funding, local ownership, and local benefits, has nonetheless
aided the wider adoption of renewable energy in Japan. It reveals new
ways to build public support toward realizing a real energy transition.
Notes
1. See Aldrich (2012) and Samuels (2013) for responses to these questions
from non-Japanese scholars.
2. Based on information provided by Hirata Kimiko of Kiko Network on
October 20, 2019.
3. This biomass plant is undergoing an environmental impact assessment
process as of the end of December 2019.
located only approximately 7 km from, and was severely contaminated
by, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. This project cost 9.2 billion
Yen and was financed by citizens and corporate investment. Following
the construction period from November 2016 to March 2018, this plant
started operating fully from April 2018. Income from this solar PV plant
is being used to support elderly residents and young farmers (Kudou
2018). PV solar plants built on abandoned farming land are a symbol
of recovery and the future of these local communities. Local citizens, citizens nationwide, companies, and media are supporting these projects. In
2013, Fukushima Prefecture established the goal of becoming a 100%
renewable energy prefecture by 2040 and becoming a world leader in
renewable energy.
Conclusions
Even after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the second severe nuclear accident after the 1986 Chernobyl accident, Japan’s energy policy remains
largely unchanged, with only minor modifications due to a relatively
closed political-opportunity structure and the relative weakness of the
counter-veiling power of opposition political parties and civil society.
The central government and EPCOs companies are still reluctant to
support the expansion of renewable energy sources. On the other hand,
Japan’s model of “community power” or community wind power in
some areas, including Fukushima Prefecture, which stresses local initiatives, local funding, local ownership, and local benefits, has nonetheless
aided the wider adoption of renewable energy in Japan. It reveals new
ways to build public support toward realizing a real energy transition.
Notes
1. See Aldrich (2012) and Samuels (2013) for responses to these questions
from non-Japanese scholars.
2. Based on information provided by Hirata Kimiko of Kiko Network on
October 20, 2019.
3. This biomass plant is undergoing an environmental impact assessment
process as of the end of December 2019.