Member Country Report 2023 - Japan
Takahiro ASAHI, Heat Pump and Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan (HPTCJ)The HPT TCP is part of a network of autonomous collaborative partnerships focused on a wide range of energy technologies known as Technology Collaboration
Programmes or TCPs. The TCPs are organised under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), but the TCPs are functionally and legally autonomous.
Views, findings and publications of the HPT TCP do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or its individual member countries.

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Japan - Overview

SapporoTemperature

Population : 124.63 million (92% in urban areas)
Households : 55.71 million (1/2/3/4/>5 pers.: 38%/28%/17%/12%/5%)Land Area : 378,000 km2(≃Germany)
Population Density : 330 people / km2 (≃Belgium)
Rate of multifamily : 46 %Mean temperature : 15.8 C (Tokyo) (≃Madrid, Spain)
Sapporo (MT: 9.2 C) Tokyo (MT: 15.8 C)

Naha (MT: 23.3 C)
Naha
Maximum temperature
Mean temperature
Minimum temperature

month

month

month

Tokyo

Source- Population: as of 1 Feb. 2023, Statistics Bureau of Japan- Urban population: as of 2021, World Bank Group- Households: as of 1 Oct. 2020, Statistics Bureau of Japan (table 2-13)- Land Area: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan- Population Density: HPTCJ’s calculation (Population / Land Area)- Rate of multifamily: as of 1 Oct. 2018, Statistics Bureau of Japan(table 21-3)(JP)- Temperature: based on observed data 1991 – 2020,
Japan Meteorological Agency Source1, Source2(JP)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy - Decarbonization
46-50% GHG reduction in FY 2030
and Net-Zero by 2050
Policy Speech by the Prime Ministerto the 203rd Session of the Diet
“We hereby declare that by 2050
Japan will aim to reduce GHG emissions
to net-zero, that is, to realize acarbon-neutral, decarbonized society.”

Leaders Summit on Climate“Japan aims to reduce its
GHG emissions by 46% in FY
2030” (Furthermore, thelofty goal of 50%)

Source- Policy Speech: Cabinet of Japan- Leaders Summit on climate: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan- Date of enforcement of the amended act: Ministry of the Environment (MOEJ)(JP)- Japan’s NDC, Long-term Strategy, Plan: MOEJ (EN, JP)- The Sixth strategic Energy Plan: Ministry of Economy,Trade and Industry (METI) (EN, JP)- Cabinet Decision on the Basic Policy for the Realization of GX (JP)Japan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
Japan's Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement
Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures
The Sixth Strategic Energy Plan
Enforcement of the amended Act on Promotionof Global Warming Countermeasures“decarbonized society by 2050” was stipulated

Previous WS(Nov. 2021)
26 Oct. 2020

22 Apr. 2021

22 Oct. 2021

Cabinet Decision on the Basic Policy
for the Realization of GX

1 Apr. 2022

10 Feb. 2023 Today

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Japan’s commitment to Net-Zero by 2050

CO2 emissions by sector (FY1990 - 2020)
CO2 emissions(Mt-CO2)
500

503

Industries sector (Factories,etc.)<Compared to FY 2013>(Compared to FY 2019)

464

387

400

300

237

206

224
208

Commercial and other sector(Commerce, services, office,etc.)

200

100

0

208

Energy Transformation(excl. statistical discrepancy from power and heat allocation)

129 96

106

Industrial Processes and Product Use
Waste(Incineration, etc)

49
30

Other (Indirect CO2, etc.) 3.6

31

182Mt

<-23.2%>(-4.7%)

166Mt <-19.8%>(+4.5%)
159

66
24
6.7

191

Residential sector

131<-23.3%>
356Mt (-8.1%)<-17.6%>
185Mt (-10.2%)

Transport sector (Cars,etc.)

90

82Mt <-22.7%>(-8.4%)

45

43Mt
3.0

1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Policy - Decarbonization

Source- Japan’s commitment: “Climate Actions towards net-zero by 2050”, MOEJ
- CO2 emissions by sector: “The GHG Emissions Data of Japan”, National Institute for Environmental Studies

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

31Mt
3Mt

<-12.7%>(-5.3%)〈+4.0%〉(-0.7%)<-17.8%>(-2.7%)

Policy - Decarbonization

Source- Japan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): UNFCCC- Japan's Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement: UNFCCC (EN), MOEJ (JP)Japan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)- 2030, 2050 targets and implementation of policies (e.g. amending the law)

Japan's Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement- Industry: “For the heat demand in low-temperature such as steam and hot water,
utilizing electrification technologies including heat pumps and electric heating
wires would be a relevant option for decarbonization.”- Building: “…, the Government aims to achieve the sector coupling of electricity, heat,and mobility in general, using electrified vehicles, heat pump-type water
heaters, fuel cells and cogeneration, …”, “… improvement of heat energy efficiency
such as heat pump.”, “The Government will also look into the potential flexibility ofheat storage type air-conditioning equipment, heat pump water heaters infacilities with large demand for hot water supply, ”
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Source- Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures: MOEJ (JP)- The Sixth Strategic Energy Plan: METI (EN, JP)- Track record: The document of the Central Environment Council, METI (JP)Policy - Decarbonization
Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures and
The Sixth Strategic Energy Plan-

Quantitative targets are set for industrial HPs and commercial and residential HPWHs
Industrial HPs

Commercial HPWHs

Domestic HPWHs

KPI(cumulative installation: MW)

KPI(cumulative installation: 104 units)

KPI(cumulative installation: 104 units)

1,673 MW (Prospect 2030)
745.9 (Result 2020)824 (Prospect 2025)

5.5 (Result 2020) > 5 (Prospect 2020)

168.4 (Result 2020) < 277 (Prospect 2020)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy - Decarbonization

Source- Cabinet Decision on the Basic Policy for the Realization of GX (JP)The Basic Policy for the Realization of GX* (February 10, 2023)*GX = Green Transformation-“ For the decarbonization of the heat demand and the efficient use of heat, (thegovernment) will promote the introduction of efficient appliances such as heatpump water heaters and residential fuel cells for the residential sector, andefficient equipment including industrial heat pumps and CHPs for theindustrial sector”= Heat pumps are already well-recognized in the high-level policies in Japan
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Source- Energy demand by sector: The document by the METI (P.71) (JP)- Electricity mix towards 2030: The document by the METI (P.70) (JP)- Carbon intensity of electricity generation: FY2021 Energy Supply and Demand Report, METI (P.8) (JP)Policy - Energy
Energy demand by sector

Electricity mix towards 2030
≃ 1,024 TWh

Final energy
consumption(million kloe)■ Transport Sector■ Residential Sector■ Commercial Sector■ Industries Sector

2013

2014

2015 2016

2017

2018

2019

Non-fossil
fuel
≃ 24%

NuclearH2 & NH3≃ 1%
Non-fossil
fuel
≃ 59%

LNG

2030

Carbon intensity of electricity generation
Carbon intensity ofelectricity generation(kg CO2/kWh)

Renewable≃ 934 TWh

The Great East Japan Earthquake
Fossil fuel
≃ 76%

Coal

Fossil fuel≃ 41%

Oil, etc.
2019
fiscal year

fiscal year2030

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Source- Top Runner Program: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (JP)- The uniform energy efficiency labels: “Japan's ENERGY 2020”, METI

Policy - Energy

EnergyEfficiency“Top Runner Program”

Product A’
Product B’(Efficiency standards for machinery, equipment and materials)- 32 items are in scope (as of March 2023).
Air Conditioners, Electric Refrigerators, Electric
Freezers, Gas Water Heaters, Oil Water Heaters,
Vending Machines, Electric (HP) Water Heaters,
Showcases, etc.

“The uniform energy efficiency labels”(Energy efficiency labeling)- The evaluation metric of a 41-point scale (1.0, 1.1, …, 5.0)
are now being used in retail outlets.

>50 % of all
products

Product C’

Top Runner Standard value

Product A
Product B
Product C

With Product A asa base value, thetarget is set after
consideration ofpotential technicalimprovements

Product D

Product D’
Product E’<50 % of all
products

For each manufacturer /importer, each item’s weighted
average value must achieve atarget standard value by thetarget fiscal year.

Product E

At the time of the value
setting process

Target year
(3-10 years later)

Top Runner Program- The items mentioned above (except for vending machines
and showcases) are covered as of March 2023.

A new labeling for EcoCute (Domestic HPWH) since Oct. 2021

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy - Awards

Source- Efficiency improvement of HPs: Heat Pump and Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan (HPTCJ) (JP)- Energy Conservation Grand Prize Award: The Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ)- Minister of the Environment's Award for Climate Action: MOEJ (JP)

COP

APF

Efficiency has improved due toenergy efficiency policies.
Awards are another driver for
efficiency improvement--

Energy Conservation Grand Prize Award(Since 1990)
awards excellent energy conservation
activities and advanced energy conservation
products achieved by technologicaldevelopment at private companies, …
Minister of the Environment's Award
for Climate Action(Since 1998)
awards individuals or groups that have madesigniﬁcant contributions towards preventing
global warming

Centrifugal chiller

Residential RAC(COP value)

Residential RAC (APF value)
Commercial HPWH
Residential HPWH

Residential HPWH
Commercial HPWH
Year

Efficiency improvement of HPs

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy - Subsidies

Source- Subsidy for investments for advanced energy conservation project: Sustainable open Innovation Initiative (JP)- Subsidy for residential high-efficiency DHW heaters : METI (JP)- Subsidy for “Net Zero Energy Buildings” (METI): Sustainable open Innovation Initiative (JP)- Subsidy for “Net Zero Energy Buildings” (MOEJ): Shizuoka Environment Resources Association (JP)Subsidy for investments for energy conservation projects and equipment-

A. Advanced equipment (e.g. HP desiccant humidity control, centrifugal chiller, showcase, MVR, etc.)
B. Custom-made solutions (e.g. specially designed facility, production line, etc.)
C. Specified equipment (e.g. AC, industrial HP, commercial HPWH, refrigerator, etc.)
D. Energy management system and service (Specified EM service and EMS needed for the service)

Subsidy for residential high-efficiency DHW heaters- HPWHs (“EcoCute”)- Hybrid HPWHs- Residential Fuel Cells(“Ene-Farm”)

50,000 JPY ( 345 EUR*)
50,000 JPY ( 345 EUR*)
150,000 JPY (1035 EUR*)* Exchange rate : 145 JPY / 1 EUR

Subsidy for “Net Zero Energy Buildings”

HPWHs(“EcoCute”)

Hybrid HPWHs

Residential Fuel Cells(“Ene-Farm”)- High efficiency ACs, water heaters, BEMS, etc. installed for “Net Zero Energy Buildings” projects(<50% energy consumption of the reference building)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy - F-gas Regulation

Source- “Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons”, MOEJ

Laws and GWP target values and years- Ozone Layer Protection Law
aims to control consumption and production of controlled
substances by regulating their productions and imports.
- Fluorocarbons Emission Restraining Law
aims to control emissions over the lifecycle of Fluorocarbons.

Target GWP values and years for manufacturers/importers

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
Fluorocarbons Emission Restraining Law

Source- The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) (JP)Market - Residential Room Air Conditioners
12,000The financial crisis

Cool Summer

10,0008,000

Stable at just below 10
million units annually.

6,000

Longer hours at home due to
COVID-19 might haveboosted the sales in 2020

4,000
2,000
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Annual Sales (1,000 units)

Hot SummerYearwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Source- The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) (JP)Market - Commercial Packaged Air Conditioners
The financial crisis2021 Summer Olympics

800
600

Stable at around 800,000
units annually.

400

The surge in sales in 2019
might be attributed to thedemand for 2021 Summer
Olympics held in Tokyo.

200
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Annual Sales (1,000 units)

1,000

Year

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Source- The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) (JP)Market - Residential HPWH (EcoCute)

9,000,000
8,000,000

500,000

7,000,000

400,000

6,000,000
5,000,000

300,000

4,000,000

200,000

3,000,000
2,000,000

100,000

1,000,000

0

Fiscal Year (Apr. - Mar.)

Around 500,000 units
annually with an increaseof 30,000 units annually.
The cumulative sales willreach 9 million units in fall
2023 at this rate.

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

0
2003

Annual Sales (units)

600,000

The Great East Japan Earthquake

Cumulative Sales (units)

The financial crisis

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Market - Commercial HPWH
The financial crisis

The Great East Japan Earthquake

Source- The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) (JP)2021 Summer Olympics

6,000

Annual Sales (units)

5,000
4,000

Around 3,000 units annually.

3,000

The surge in sales in 2019
might be attributed to thedemand for 2021 Summer
Olympics held in Tokyo.

2,000
1,000
0

Fiscal Year (Apr. - Mar.)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

R&D - HPT TCP Annexes (click the Annex number to visit the Annex websites)
Ongoing Annexes
Annex 54 “Heat pump systems with low GWP refrigerants”
This annex aims at promoting low GWP refrigerant application to accelerate phase down of high-GWP HFCs by developing design
guidelines of optimized heat pump components and system for low-GWP refrigerants through the review of available low-GWP
refrigerants, their properties and applicable standards, safety and flammability of refrigerants, and safe use of flammable refrigerants

Annex 58 “High-Temperature Heat Pumps”
This Annex gives an overview of available technologies and close-to-market technologies regarding high-temperature heat pumps.

Annex 61 “Heat Pumps in Positive Energy Districts”
The overall objective of the Annex is to evaluate the role of heat pumps in positive energy neighborhoods/districts. Efficiency potentialsof the electric and thermal energy of neighborhoods/districts that can be unlocked with the use of heat pumps and are evaluated inorder to reach a positive energy balance.

Completed Annexes
Annex 46 “Domestic Hot Water Heat Pumps”
Annex 48 “Industrial Heat Pumps, Second Phase” … www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

R&D - Utilizing Waste Heat (NEDO)
R&D Project on Innovative
Thermal Management
Materials and Technologies(FY 2015 - 2022)- Technology to effectively reduce, recoverand reuse untapped thermal energy- Crosscutting heat management
technologies- HPs play a role in reusing thermal energy(e.g. high temperature HPs, high-efficiency
chiller…)

RecycleTHERMOELECTRICWASTE HEAT
GENERATING

Furukawa
HitachiFujifilm
Furukawa Electric
Nippon Thermostat
Yasunaga
Panasonic

ReduceHEAT STORAGE
THERMAL INSULATION
ToyotaMitsubishi Plastics
Panasonic
Toray
Mino Ceramic

Reuse
HEAT PUMP
Mayekawa
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry
Central Glass
Hitachi Appliances

ToyotaMazda
Aisin
Calsonic Kansei

ThermalManagement

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

R&D - Utilizing Waste Heat (NEDO)High temperature HP

Heat Recycle Absorption Chiller(Alternative to boilers and firing furnaces)
Conventional:

200℃ supply
with over COP 3.5
using unutilized
thermal energy
around 100℃

Primary Energy

100%(Driving with low-temperature exhaust heat)

BoilerEfficiency 90%

Using high-temperature heat pump:
1.75 times more efficient than boiler steam

Industrial waste heat(factories and power plants)

High-temperature Heat Pump

Primary Energy

COP3.5
Thermal Power Plant

100%

Efficiency 45%

Total Efficiency=45%×COP 158%

Prototype of Heat Pump

◆ REMARK
・160℃ supply with over COP3.5
using unutilized thermal energy
around 80℃
・MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
・Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.

General air
conditioningSolar heat

Low temperature exhaust
heat drive absorption
refrigerator

Freezing / Refrigeration

It is used for general air-conditioning, freezing, refrigeration, and lowtemperature heat sources in district heating networks.

Double Lift Cycle
Absorption Chiller

With World's Highest Efficiency◆ REMARKs
・ The world's highest-efficiency
double-lift cycle absorption chiller
・ Expands the utilizing temperature(Before: 95→75℃ After:95→51℃)

Productization

Hitachi Johnson Controls Air Conditioning CO., LTD.

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

R&D - Low-GWP Refrigerants (NEDO)
Development of Technology
and Assessment Techniques for
Next-Generation Refrigerants
with a Low GWP Value(FY 2018 - 2022)- The development of assessment techniques
for performance, safety, and risks of nextgeneration refrigerants used in refrigeration
and air conditioning equipment- dissemination of next-generation
refrigerants through the development oftechnologies to address technologicalroadblocks in certain domains

Technological challenges in the area of reducing fluorocarbon emissions

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

R&D - Low-GWP Refrigerants (NEDO)
List of project themes

Acquisition and evaluation of fundamental characteristics of next-generation refrigerants
Assessment of thermophysical properties, heat transfer characteristics and basic cycle performanceof next-generation refrigerants used for small and medium sized refrigeration and air-conditioning
Safety evaluation of low GWP, low flammability blend refrigerants

Research and development of the evaluation of practical use of the next-generation refrigeration andair-conditioning technologies applying low GWP refrigerants
Development of safety and risk assessment methods for next-generation refrigerants
Development of next-generation refrigerants and their application technologies
Research of large cooling unit applying natural refrigerants and ultra-low GWP refrigerants
Development of the technologies for applying next-generation low GWP refrigerants to condensing
Development of the energy-saving refrigerator system using the CO2 refrigerant in the lowtemperature equipment, and their evaluation in commercial buildings

Apparatus to measure flammability limits,
essential for safety and risk assessment

Development of mildly flammable refrigerants (under GWP10 for direct expansion air-conditioning

Project term: FY2018-FY2022
Project participants: WASEDA University, Kyushu University, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo,
Tokyo University of Science Suwa, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Toshiba Carrier Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd.,www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Key Actors (click the logo to visit the official websites*)*JEHC’s website is available only in Japanese

JRAIA (since 1949)

JSRAE (since 1925)- An industrial association of HVAC&R- “Kobe Symposium”(International Symposium on New
Refrigerants and Environmental Technology)- 165 corporate members- A non-profit academic organization in a field ofrefrigeration, air conditioning, food refrigeration etc.
- Education, training, survey, research, certification,
awards, international exchanges (e.g. IIR), etc.
- 230 corporate and 3,600 individual members

The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

The Japan Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers

JEHC (since 2006)

NEDO (since 1980)

HPTCJ (since 1986)- An industrial association- Promoting thermal technologies,
including industrial HPs- Policy recommendation,communication, training, etc.

- A national R&D agency,
promoting technical development
necessary for a sustainable society.
- Signatory body of IEA HPT TCP- An industrial association of HPs- Promotion, training, research,
survey, policy recommendation, etc.
- Secretariat of IEA HPT TCP

Japan Electro-Heat Center

New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization

ExCo delegate Mr. Iwatsubo
ExCo alternate delegate Mr. Goto

Heat Pump and Thermal Storage Technology
Center of Japan

ExCo alternate delegate Mr. Asahi

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Summary-

Decarbonization: HPs are seen as one of key technologies to achieving Japan’s net-zero
2050 commitment. Quantitative targets for 2030 are set for further deployment of IHPs
and commercial and residential HPWHs.

-

Energy: Cleaner electricity mix including nuclear power is the challenge on the supply
side. On the demand side, HP efficiencies have been and will be improving thanks to EE
policies like “Top Runner Program” and awards.

-

Incentives: The government is offering subsidies for HPWHs and other efficient
appliances / equipment. Local governments are also starting to subsidize HPs.

-

Market: Japan’s AC market is stable. We need to further deploy IHPs and HPWHs in linewith the government’s target.

-

Technology： R&Ds of such as Low-GWP refrigerants and high temperature HPs arebeing carried out both in HPT TCP Annexes anddomestic research projects.
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Thank you for your attention!
Takahiro ASAHI (Executive Committee alternate delegate of Japan)
asahi.takahiro@hptcj.or.jp

The HPT TCP is part of a network of autonomous collaborative partnerships focused on a wide range of energy technologies known as Technology Collaboration
Programmes or TCPs. The TCPs are organised under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), but the TCPs are functionally and legally autonomous.
Views, findings and publications of the HPT TCP do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or its individual member countries.

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org