This report by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) summarizes Japan’s renewable energy policies and the state of its energy transition. It outlines Japan’s current energy mix and the policies in place to support an expansion of renewable energy in the electrical power system, particularly since the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. This incident prompted Japan to restructure its electricity sector and expand its coal and natural gas imports to displace nuclear power. Most of the paper is technical in nature and focuses on the country’s power sector and the ongoing deregulation process.

The report also outlines Japan’s long-term vision for promoting the transition to renewable energy, arguing that its plans for renewable power are underdeveloped. The report highlights the opportunities for renewable energy development, including various prefectures’ potential for wind, solar, and geothermal energy production. It also provides recommendations to achieve a socially just energy transition, including the potential for community-based renewable energy projects, as well as credit systems to support their development.