G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD
COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN1
May 2024

Synopsis
OVERALL COUNTRY SCORE: 131/400

Although faring relatively well on energy efficiency, Japan currently has thehighest share of fossil fuel-based generation of any G7 country. It also has thehighest share of coal power as well as no coal phase-out date, so has a long way
to go to decarbonise its power sector. Japan’s goal for renewable energy share in
2030 is also lower than that of most other G7 countries, falling short of reaching
the IEA's milestones of 60% renewable energy in the power mix by 2030. As
such, the power sector is not adequately contributing to Japan’s emissions
reduction targets. Research by Bloomberg NEF2 shows that Japan’s current
emission reduction trajectory is not on track to meet its 2030 goal of 46%
emissions reduction from 2013 levels, nor net zero by 2050.
Japan’s approach to the energy transition is fundamentally distinct to that of its
G7 counterparts. Japanese officials promoted the concept of “various pathways
toward a common goal” at their G7 Presidency in 2023, and are promoting thesenarratives to developing countries in Southeast Asia, spurred on by vested
industry interests. Support schemes like those in the Asia Zero Emissions
Community (AZEC) include financing fossil-based technologies; these might beperceived as impeding the regional transition away from fossil fuels.
Headline message – Benchmarks 1–2 (Section 1: Infrastructure/Energy mix)
SCORE 25/120

Japan ranks poorly on most indicators, particularly around reducing fossil fuelreliance (scoring 0 for many of them). It lacks targets to phase out fossil fuels inalignment with G7 goals. In 2023, net zero power (renewables and nuclear) only
constituted 31% of total electricity generated, significantly lower than in otherG7 nations, placing Japan at the bottom of the rankings. Despite Japan's plannedwind and solar capacity projected to surpass requirements for its current
1 To see the whole Scorecard, including the scoring methodology, visit https://www.e3g.org/g7-power-systems-scorecard
2

BloombergNEF, July 2023, New Energy Outlook: Japan

1

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANnational 2030 goal, it falls short of reaching the IEA's recommended 60%
renewables in the power mix by 2030.
Headline message – Benchmarks 3–5 (Section 2: Policies/Targets)
SCORE: 106/280

While Japan fares well on some energy efficiency indicators, its renewableenergy targets and policies lack ambition and specificity and fail to deter fossil
fuel investment, despite governmental emphasis on prioritising renewables by2030. While strategies to improve grid flexibility, deploy storage, and reduce
renewables curtailment have been identified, their implementation remains
unclear due to the absence of a regulatory framework.
While Japan has been involved in some international energy transition efforts, it
has not joined progressive initiatives like the Glasgow Coal to Clean Power
Initiative and the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA). Furthermore, Japan
continues to offer support schemes including financing fossil-based technologies
and promoting fossil fuel-heavy technologies through the Asia Zero Emissions
Community (AZEC), which may deter the international effort on clean energy
transitions.

Benchmark 1: Reducing fossil fuel reliance
SCORE: 5/60

Japan’s power system is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. In 2023, fossil fuels
covered 69% of the power mix, and its carbon intensity of power generation isamong the highest in IEA member countries. Japan sees thermal power
generation as a reliable baseload to counterbalance the variability of renewableenergy sources.3
1.1 New unabated coal and gas power plants in planning or construction
SCORE: 0/15

Although in 2023 Japan has committed to ending new construction of coal
power, the country has one pre-permit coal power plant under consideration,
the GENESIS Matsushima, which would entail constructing a new 500 MW coalfacility within an existing, over 40-year-old power plant in Nagasaki. Japan is also

3 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, June 2023, Annual

report on energy for fiscal year 4 of Reiwa (Energy White Paper 2023), Part 2, Chapter 12

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANcurrently planning and constructing 13 new gas power plants (approx. 8.6 GW
capacity).4
1.2 Share in electricity generation: fossil fuels
SCORE: 0/15

Japan has 69% fossil fuels in its power sector energy mix (2023),5 eightpercentage points higher than the global fossil share in electricity generation(61%).6 Japan also has the highest level of coal generation of any G7 country.
1.3 Share in electricity generation: non-renewable low-carbon tech
SCORE: 4/15

Nuclear accounted for 7.6% of electricity generation in 2023.7 Japan plans tohave 20–22% nuclear in its energy mix by 2030. It also plans to have 1%
ammonia/hydrogen in power generation by 2030.8
1.4 Carbon intensity of power index
SCORE: 1/15

In 2022, the carbon intensity of power index was 113,9 the highest in the G7 andamong the highest in the IEA member countries.10 Japan’s carbon intensity of
power generation in 2023 was 485.39 gCO2/kWh.11 The carbon intensity ofenergy supply increased rapidly after 2011 and has only gradually reduced since.

Benchmark 2: Ramping up renewables
SCORE: 20/60

Renewables made up only 24% of the total electricity generated in Japan in 2023.
Its overall renewables targets for 2030 (36–38%) remain lower than those of
most peers – this already puts the country on the lower band ranking. Somestudies have shown that Japan’s planned wind and solar capacity could exceed
4 Global Energy Monitor, 2024, Asia Gas Tracker Map
5 Ember, May 2024, Electricity Data Explorer
6 Ember, May 2024, Global Electricity Review 2024
7 Ember, May 2024, Electricity Data Explorer
8 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, October 2021, Outlineof strategic energy plan (PDF), page 10
9 IEA, December 2023, Energy Statistics Data Browser
10 IEA, March 2021, Japan 2021: Energy policy review
11 Ember, May 2024, Electricity Data Explorer

3

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANwhat is required to reach its current national 2030 goal, but falls short of what isneeded to reach 60% renewables in the power mix by 2030, as recommended by
the IEA.
2.1 Share of variable RES in electricity generation
SCORE: 2/15

In 2023, Japan generated 0.9% of its electricity from wind, the lowest in the G7.
Solar accounted for 10.8%, placing Japan ninth globally, twice the global averageof 5.5%.12 The total share for both solar and wind was 11.7%.13
2.2 Share of other RES in electricity generation
SCORE: 3/15

The share of other renewables (specifically hydro and bioenergy) in the powermix was 12% in 2023.14 However, we note that Japan does not have huge
potential for biomass, geothermal or tidal power. On biomass, for example,
Japan imports pellets for biomass power generation, where there are questions
around its sustainability and environmental impacts.
2.3 Variable RES pipeline capacity vs country’s announced target
SCORE: 11/15

Japan had 125.8 GW installed capacity for all renewables as of 2023, of whichwind and solar made up 92.3 GW (wind: 5.2 GW, solar: 87 GW).15
Japan aims to achieve a national target of 187–201 GW of renewable energy
capacity by 2030 (which puts the 2030 energy mix ratio of renewables at 36–38%), within which the wind and solar targets make up approximately 127.1–
141.2 GW (wind: 23.6 GW, solar: 103.5–117.6 GW).16 According to the IEA's
estimation,17 the pace of growth expected over 2022–2027 indicates that thecountry is roughly on track to reach its 2030 renewable generation targets. For
example, research on 2030 solar capacity projection by RTS Corporation showsthat even business as usual scenarios can provide 147 GW by 2030.18
12 Ember, May 2024, Global Electricity Review 2024
13 Ember, May 2024, Electricity Data Explorer
14 Ember, May 2024, Electricity Data Explorer
15 Ember, May 2024, Electricity Data Explorer
16 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, April 2022, Future of

Renewable Energy Policy
17 IEA, December 2022, “Renewable electricity” in Renewables 2022
18 RTS Corporation, February 2024, Forecasting PV Installed Capacity in Japan 2023 to 2035

4

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANHowever, it should be recognised that the prospective projects in the current
pipeline indicate that there is a high risk of not delivering on wind power inparticular:> Wind power: currently 25.3 GW of prospective projects in the pipeline, of
which 92% at risk of not delivering (8.4 GW pre-construction, 14.8 GW
announced).19> Solar power: currently 2.2 GW of prospective projects in the pipeline, of
which 58% at risk of not delivering (0.92 GW pre-construction, 0.36 GW
announced).20
Additionally, OCCTO’s (Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination ofTransmission Operators) data compilation of ten-year electric supply plans
submitted by over 1,900 electric utilities in Japan notes that even in 2033, fossil
fuel share remains at almost 60%, while renewables share would have increased
only slightly (33.5%).21 This suggests that Japan's capacity to achieve its 2030
domestic target, not to mention its role in the global aim of tripling renewable
power capacity, is still at risk.
2.4 Average permitting time for VRE
SCORE: 4/15

In general, processes are tedious and lead times are long, and the government
acknowledges these challenges. The time it takes for an application for businessplan approval to be granted by the government fluctuates, and has been raised
as a problem. Uptake of offshore wind specifically has been slow due to long leadtimes (average 7–8 years from project plan approval to start of operation),caused by factors including the environmental assessment (around 4–5 years),
location constraints and grid constraints. It seems to be a quite ineffective
process with a lot of duplication, as each tendering company is separately
responsible for conducting wind and geological surveys, environmental
assessments, local measures and securing the grid. However there have beenmeasures to address this, and the government is currently developing aframework for a “centralised” model for the efficient deployment of offshore
wind power with the national and local governments playing central roles.22
19 Global Energy Monitor, December 2023, Global Wind Power Tracker Summary Data
20 Global Energy Monitor, December 2023, Global Solar Power Tracker Summary Data
21 Japan Beyond Coal, April 2024, OCCTO: Coal-fired power projected to account for 29% of Japan’s

electricity in FY2033
22 Climate Integrate, April 2024, Offshore Wind in Japan: Policy Agenda and Prospects

5

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANSolar, onshore wind (FIT) over 250 kW, and offshore wind require a tender
process. The Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures amendment
enables local governments to set “promotion areas” for which the administrative
procedures for renewable energy project deployment can be simplified.23

Benchmark 3: Adapting the power systems to highRES share
SCORE: 41/120

While issues relating to grid improvement, flexibility, storage deployment, andlimiting renewable energy curtailment have been identified, the measures totake remain unclear, with little to no regulatory framework set up. Some policies
are in place to (somewhat) incentivise renewables uptake, and government
intends to make “renewables the main source of power with top priority” in
2030. However, these policies do not actively exclude investment into fossil
fuels, and have potential loopholes that would allow the life of fossil fuel-based
power plants to be extended.
3.1 Policies to limit curtailment to a minimum that ensures optimal RES
capacity utilisation
SCORE: 5/15

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) forecasts that in mainland
Japan (excluding Okinawa) there will be a new record in solar and windcurtailment in FY 2023, totalling 1.76 TWh – more than three times the previous
record of 0.57 TWh in FY 2022. Regardless of economic efficiency and technicalfeasibility, the current electricity supply rules prioritise nuclear over solar andwind. According to this rule, in situations of power oversupply, solar and wind
are curtailed first, prior to decreasing the output of nuclear reactors.24
METI’s newest package of measures to curb output curtailment, compiled in
December 2023, includes several measures to cover both demand and supply
sides. One notable measure is to reduce the minimum output of newly built
thermal power plants from “50% or less” to “30% or less”, with implementation

23

Ministry of the Environment, October 2021, Global Warming Countermeasures Plan, page 106

Renewable Energy Institute, April 2024, Curtailment Increases Across Japan: Economic Dispatch and
Negative Prices Are Key Solutions
24

6

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN

from 2024.25 The package also includes measures to create an environment toincrease the introduction of renewables, and strengthen resilience through grid
reinforcement, among others. Particular emphasis will be placed on demand side
measures over the medium to long term, with a view to further expanding the
introduction of renewables. The government will also take budgetary andinstitutional measures in the household and industrial sectors in an integrated
manner, in order to create and shift demand in line with supply.26
There are discussions27 taking place on the introduction of large storage
batteries and virtual energy supply and demand control technologies as
initiatives to reduce output curtailment, however there are no concrete rate
reduction targets in place yet.
3.2 Active steps by the national grid operator to plan for short spells of 100%
RE power
SCORE: 0/15

As there is no 100% renewables target in Japan, there is currently no discussion
on this in the Japanese government, nor any regulation in place. Japan has set atarget of 36–38% renewables by 2030, and a reference target of 50–60% by 2050
is set out by OCCTO.28
3.3 Effective policies to ramp up electricity storage
SCORE: 7/15

Securing grid regulation for renewables and the need for storage batteries havebeen addressed in the GX Basic Policy, December 2022,29 as well as in the Basic
Hydrogen Strategy30 in June 2023. More than one-third of the GX-related

25 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, December 2023,

Output control measures package
26 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, March 2024, Efforts

to control renewable energy output control etc.
27 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, March 2024, On

Virtual Power Plants and Demand Response
28 Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), March 2023,

Development of a long-term policy for the wide-area grid (master plan for the wide-area interconnected
grid)
29 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, February 2023, Basic policy for the realisation of GX - Roadmap

for the next 10 years
30 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, June 2023, Basic
Hydrogen Strategy Outline

7

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANallocations in the national budget for 2024 relate to battery storage (2,300 billionyen).31
In the same year that the GX Basic Policy was announced, the government set
forth a Storage Battery Industry Strategy32 with the following targets: 1) establish
a domestic manufacturing base of 150 GWh/year of storage batteries andmaterials; 2) Japanese companies to have a manufacturing capacity of
600 GWh/year in the global market, and 3) full-scale commercialisation of allsolid-state batteries by around 2030, and to maintain and secure Japan's position
as a technology leader after 2030.
On the other hand, there is no roadmap or concrete plan for how thetechnologies described in these strategies will be utilised.
3.4 Effective policies to increase end use flexibility
SCORE: 5/15

Japan has taken steps to address end use flexibility, through several measures toreduce output curtailment – such as demand response – and use of storage
batteries.
Demand side response (DSR) emerged as a novel approach to grid stabilisation,
focusing on adjusting “demand side resources” instead of altering the supply sideof electricity. DSR will now be transitioning into the Capacity Market operated by
OCCTO, as a dispatchable peaking resource from FY2024 onwards.33 For more onelectricity storage, see indicator 3.3.
3.5 Effective policies to accelerate grid development
SCORE: 5/15

No specific delivery strategy yet, but Japan takes note of these issues andmentions this in:> GX Basic Policy> 6th Strategic Energy Plan
> Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures

31
32
33

8

Climate Integrate, March 2024, Japan Spending Plans for Climate and Energy, page 3
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, August 2022, Storage Battery Industry Strategy
European Business Council in Japan, January 2024, Demand Response

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN

> Amendment of the Renewable Energy Special Measures Law and theElectricity Business Law under the GX Decarbonised Power law> (Not governmental law) “Long-Term Policy for Wide-Area Grid – the Master
Plan for Wide-Area Interconnected Grid”, OCCTO .
OCCTO’s master plan study indicated that the base scenario would connect the
Hokkaido and Tokyo areas with 6–8 GW of transmission lines, with a renewableenergy share of 48%. This would be the baseline on government actions towards
strengthening grid capability going forward.34
3.6 Effective policies to enable the required digitalisation of power systems
SCORE: 5/15

There is mention of how DX (digital transformation) should go hand in hand withGX (green transformation).35 The 6th Strategic Energy Plan mentions efforts
needed to upgrade grid operation using digital technology and other means toensure grid stability from the ground up, as well as promoting efficiency and CO2
savings in energy demand through digitalisation.36 The IEA also mentions Japan
has ambitious goals to use digital technologies for efficient electricity demand
management and demand response.37
According to REGlobal, Japan seeks to integrate digital technologies to constructa modern power grid that is stable, resilient, efficient, and cost-effective. This
involves deploying sensors for the operation and maintenance of transmission
and distribution (T&D) facilities, utilising distributed energy resources (DER) for
enhanced system operation and congestion management in distribution
networks, implementing smart meters, adopting power distribution automation
systems, establishing regional microgrids through digital technology, anddeploying adaptive under-frequency relays to prevent blackouts.38

34 Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), March 2023,

Development of a long-term policy for the wide-area grid (master plan for the wide-area interconnected
grid)
35 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, September 2022, Digital Governance Code 2.0
36 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, October 2021,

Outline of strategic energy plan
37 IEA, March 2021, Japan 2021 Energy Policy Review
38 REGlobal, December 2022, Japan’s Electricity Sector Reforms: Transition to next generation power

networks - REGlobal - Mega Trends & Analysis

9

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN3.7 Effective mechanisms or frameworks to prevent preferential treatment forfossil fuel-based generation over RES on the market
SCORE: 9/15

Policies are in place through the GX Basic Policy and others to incentivise
renewables uptake, and the government intends to make renewables the main
source of power with top priority in 2030. Under the Act on Special Measures
Concerning Promotion of Utilization of Electricity from Renewable Energy
Sources, the government implemented the feed-in tariff (FIT) programme in July
2012, aimed at incentivising renewable electricity producers and diversifying
Japan's power sources. From April 2022, the new market-based feed-in premium(FIP) programme started, which encourages electricity generation linked toelectricity market prices.39
On January 2024, Japan launched its first Long-Term Decarbonisation Capacity
auction, overseen by the OCCTO.40 This subsection within the capacity market
focuses on incentivising the development of new projects based on non-fossil
fuels with the goal of ensuring stability and predictability in power supply.
Successful bidders will win 20-year contracts that offer fixed revenue for
operable power plants.
The eligible capacity sources encompass renewable energy, nuclear, power
storage, and coal or gas power plants capable of co-firing with hydrogen orammonia. The latter category can join the auctions as long as they commit totransitioning to 100% non-fossil power generation eventually. Additionally,
although the auction is promoted as a “decarbonisation” initiative, LNG projects
remain eligible to participate until 2025.41
Existing policies like the aforementioned GX Basic Policy do not actively exclude
investment into fossil fuels, and have potential loopholes that would allow
extension of fossil fuel generated power. The current approach in the GX Basic
Policy emphasises the development of costly and novel technologies, whilelargely overlooking projects that would broadly benefit the public interest, suchas the greater adoption of existing technologies like low-cost photovoltaic power

39 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Understanding the FIT and FIP Programme
40 Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), April 2024, Long Term

Decarbonisation Power Sources Auction Outcomes
41 Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), June 2023, On Long

Term Decarbonisation Power Sources Auction

10

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANgeneration, incentives for energy efficiency, or support for a just transition
through industrial transformation.
3.8 Electrification rate target and roadmap to support delivery
SCORE: 5/15

In 2020, fossil fuels consumed on the demand side accounted for over 70% ofJapan's final energy consumption – electrification rates were only 27%.42
In the Clean Energy Strategy, electrification is mentioned as important toaccelerate decarbonisation – i.e. heat pumps for hot water and other heatsources, and electrification of power in the transport sector.43

Benchmark 4: Governance / International leadership
SCORE: 9/80

Japan is involved in some international leadership efforts in support of theenergy transition (Just Energy Transition Partnerships, Asia Zero Emissions
Community, Asia Energy Transition Initiative, bilateral support for energy
transition planning), but is not signed up to the Glasgow Coal to Clean Power
Initiative, nor the Powering Past Coal Alliance among others. Some of Japan’s
support schemes within these initiatives still include financing of fossil-based
technologies, as well as – in the case of through the Asia Zero Emissions
Community – actively promoting fossil fuel heavy technologies. Japan’sinterpretation of the 2035 fully or predominantly decarbonised power sector
commitment is also unhelpful, with the Ministry of Environment noting“predominantly” means over 50%.
4.1 2035 carbon neutral power system commitment adopted in national
legislation
SCORE: 0/10

Japan agreed to the G7 commitment of achieving a fully or predominantly
decarbonised power sector by 203544 – but there is a big interpretation gap

42 Tokyo Electric Power Company, August 2022, Upgrading demand towards carbon neutrality -electrification and local production and consumption of energy, page 8
43 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, May 2022, Clean Energy Strategy Interim Report (Summary),

page 244 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 2023, G7 Leaders’ Communique, page 16

11

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANdomestically: Japan views the wording “predominantly” as over 50%, as opposedto the other G7 countries (almost fully).45
4.2 Global leadership on supporting power systems decarbonisation indeveloping countries
SCORE: 3/10

Japan signed up to the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge at
COP28, committing to support the achievement of tripling renewables capacityand doubling energy efficiency by 2030. On the Powering Past Coal Alliance(PPCA), only Kyoto City is signed up as a subnational member. The country itself
has not signed up given its reliance on coal. Japan is also not part of international
alliances or networks on fossil fuel phase-out.
4.3 International commitments on power systems decarbonisation throughalliances or networks such as the PPCA, Glasgow Coal to Clean Power Initiative
etc.
SCORE: 2/10

Japan is involved in some international leadership efforts in support of theenergy transition including JETPs, but not signed up to Glasgow Coal to Clean
Power Initiative. Japan-led support schemes like those in the Asia Zero Emission
Community (AZEC)46 include financing fossil-based technologies, which risks
delaying fossil fuel phase-out. Japan’s own public international energy financing
has also heavily focused on fossil fuels rather than clean energy solutions.47
4.4 Net zero power system roadmap to drive delivery of 2035 commitment
SCORE: 0/10

Japan agreed to the G7 commitment of achieving a fully or predominantly
decarbonised power sector by 203548 – but there is a big interpretation
gap: Japan views the wording “predominantly” as over 50%, as opposed to theother G7 countries (almost fully).49 Therefore there are no net zero power
delivery roadmaps in place.

45 Ministry of the Environment, May 2022, Record of Minister Yamaguchi's post-cabinet press conference

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, December 2023, Prime Minister Kishida and Minister of
Economy, Trade and Industry Saito attend the Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) Summit
46

47

Oil Change International, 2024, Public Finance for Energy Database48

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 2023, G7 Leaders’ Communique, page 16

49

Ministry of the Environment, May 2022, Record of Minister Yamaguchi's post-cabinet press conference

12

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN4.5 Critical role of renewables, interconnection, and demand side measuresreflected in country’s energy security framework
SCORE: 2/10

Japan has long recognised the need to improve its low energy self-sufficiency
ratio, and sees renewable energy and nuclear power as ways to contribute tothis. However, Japan’s energy security policy also emphasises aspects such asenergy source diversity, diversification of energy import sources and reduction of
chokepoints. These priorities influence Japan’s current strategy to keep using all
possible energy sources, and its stance of increasing investment into upstream
LNG production.
4.6 Unabated coal phase-out date and roadmap to support delivery
SCORE: 0/10

Japan has no coal phase-out date. Japan currently plans for its 2030 electricity
mix to include 19% coal, alongside 20% LNG.50
The government has indicated that subcritical and supercritical coal plants will beclosed by 2030, however a clear trajectory to achieve this is not available. Thereis no explicit commitment or plan to close other types of coal plants.
Additionally, Japan is actively seeking out new technologies to continue
operating existing coal-fired power plants, including by co-firing withammonia/hydrogen, and exporting this technology to Asia within the Asia Zero
Emissions Community (AZEC).
4.7 Unabated gas phase-out date and roadmap to support delivery
SCORE: 0/10

Japan has no gas phase-out date. In 2030, gas is planned to cover 20% of thepower mix, down from 35% in 2022. After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
accident in 2011, Japan saw gas as an important fuel to replace nuclear, and now
a “transition fuel” towards decarbonisation. Japan is currently planning andconstructing 13 new gas plants (8.6 GW capacity).51 It has a gas transition financeroadmap set (mostly focussed on technological advancements towards
methanation), but nothing concrete.

Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, October 2021,
Outline of strategic energy plan (PDF), page 12
50

51

Global Energy Monitor, 2024, Asia Gas Tracker Map

13

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN4.8 2030 target for share of total RES in electricity generation
SCORE: 2/10

According to the 6th Strategic Energy Plan, Japan has set a target for 36–38%
renewables in 2030 (solar 14–16%, wind 5%, geothermal 1%, hydropower 11%,biomass 5%),52 which is one of the lowest among the G7 countries.

Benchmark 5: Reducing energy waste
SCORE: 56/80

Japan has long been actively involved in energy conservation and has achieved
some of the highest energy savings in the world. By 2030, the government aims
to improve energy consumption efficiency by around 40% compared to 2012
levels. In the 2024 fiscal budget, 21% of the climate and energy budget isdedicated to energy efficiency.
5.1 Efficient policies to retrofit / renovate buildings
SCORE: 12/20

Japan revised its Building Standard Law and the revised Building Energy
Conservation Law in June 2022. Compliance with energy conservation standards
will become mandatory from 2025 for all new buildings, building extensions andrenovations.53 Japan aims to achieve on average net zero energy consumption
for newly constructed buildings (ZEBs) and houses (ZEHs) by 2030,54 and for allbuildings and houses by 2050. Japan has been spending more on building retrofit
support in December 2023 (noted in indicator 5.3).
5.2 National energy/power savings target
SCORE: 12/20

Japan has long been actively involved in energy conservation and has achieved
some of the highest energy savings in the world.55 In the Sixth Strategic Energy
Plan formulated in 2021, it laid out plans to increase energy consumption
52 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, October 2021,

Outline of strategic energy plan (PDF), page 1253 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, June 2022, Act on Partial Amendment to the Act

on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings to Contribute to the Realisation ofa Decarbonised Society (Act No. 69 of 2022)
54 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, October 2021,

Outline of strategic energy plan (PDF), page 6
55 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, December 2023, What has changed in the Revised Energy

Saving Law, which comes into force in April 2023?

14

G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANefficiency and increased energy savings to around 62 million kilolitres crude oil
equivalent. This would require improving energy consumption efficiency byaround 40%, over the period from 2012 to 2030.56
Japan revised the “Act on the Rational Use of Energy and on the Conversion to
Non-fossil Energy” in April 2023. The three main pillars in the Act are: 1)
Expanded scope of “rationalisation of energy use”; 2) Transition to non-fossil
energy sources; 3) Large consumers (i.e. industrial sectors), are required to
optimise demand for electricity.57
5.3 Sufficient spending on energy efficiency programmes
SCORE: 16/20

21% of the climate/energy budget in the 2024 fiscal budget is dedicated toenergy efficiency.58 In December 2023, the Cabinet agreed to support theindustrial sector on energy efficiency and expanded the budget to 700 billion yen(approx. $4.9 billion) over the next three years. There will also be support forenergy efficiency in housing through the collaboration between the three
ministries of Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Land
Infrastructure and Tourism (MLIT) and Ministry of Environment (MOE) –461.5 billion yen (approx. $3 billion), including new construction.59
5.4 High-quality appliance and equipment standards and labelling
SCORE: 16/20

Japan has one of the longest running energy efficiency standards and labelling
programmes and the most stringent standards worldwide, The Japanese Top
Runner Programme being one good example. This programme sets the efficiency
target level some four to ten years in advance based on the best available
technology.60
Japan also has set forth a Unified Energy Saving Labeling Programme, spurred by
the revision of the Energy Conservation Act in 2005. The label is required for nine
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, August 2022, 2021 –Understanding the Current Energy Situation in Japan (Part 2)
56

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, March 2023, Ordinances and Public Notices for Enforcement of
the Act on Rationalizing Energy Use and Shifting to Non-fossil Energy Promulgated Today
57

58

Climate Integrate, March 2024, Japan Spending Plans for Climate and Energy, page 7

Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, January 2024, Energy efficiency and conservation support
package in the 2023 supplementary budget, page 2
59International Energy Agency, September 2021, Achievements of Energy Efficiency Appliance andEquipment Standards and Labelling Programmes, page 20,27
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G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPANdesignated products: air conditioners, electric refrigerators and freezers, electric
toilet seats, TV sets, LED lights, and water heaters using electricity, gas and oil.61
Guidelines have also been set in September 2023 on labelling for energy
efficiency in housing62 – but these are not mandatory. This has taken effect from
April 2024.

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61

International Energy Agency, October 2021, Unified Energy Saving Labeling Program - Japan

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, September 2023, Energy-saving performanceindication system based on the Building Energy Saving Act Outline document for business operators (PDF)
62

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G7 POWER SYSTEMS SCORECARD – COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN