Renewable Energy Institute has released new policy proposals on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification to strengthen Japan’s energy self-sufficiency.
The Middle East crisis has once again exposed Japan’s energy vulnerability: 84% of its energy depends on imported fossil fuels. Rising prices and supply disruptions directly threaten economic stability. Now is the time to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels and strengthen energy self-sufficiency.
Current government emergency measures—including diversifying oil imports, releasing fuel reserves, providing fuel subsidies, and expanding the use of coal-fired power—are inconsistent with Japan’s GX strategy. The fundamental solution is to increase energy self-sufficiency through:
• Expanding renewable energy
• Improving energy efficiency
• Accelerating electrification
These are “no-regret” measures in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
A growing number of Japanese companies are shifting to renewable electricity through initiatives such as RE100 and power purchase agreements (PPAs), reducing exposure to fossil fuel price volatility. At the same time, local governments, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, have shown that ambitious climate policies can enhance urban competitiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Against this backdrop, the proposal presents seven measures that can deliver results within the year, along with six institutional and regulatory reforms. These measures aim to accelerate renewable energy deployment, improve energy efficiency, and advance electrification—strengthening Japan’s energy self-sufficiency and security.
Seven High-Impact Measures for Immediate Implementation
- Lower daytime electricity prices to maximize solar use
- Deploy off-grid solar for self-consumption within months
- Accelerate on-site and off-site PPAs
- Expand high-impact energy retrofits for existing homes
- Promote replacement with high-efficiency ACs and refrigerators
- Enhance energy efficiency in offices and factories with AI and SaaS
- Maximize use of heat pumps using ambient heat
Six Structural Reforms to Strengthen Energy Self-Sufficiency
- Accelerate solar deployment
a. Promote agrivoltaics
b. Enable plug-in solar systems
c. Mandatory solar PV for buildings - Accelerate onshore and offshore wind development
- Develop geothermal as a national strategic resource
- Expand grids and storage to maximize renewables
- Standardize GX ZEH for resilient, efficient housing
- Strengthen GX-ETS benchmarks for power and industry
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[Comment] Middle East Crisis: Now Is the Time to Accelerate Japan’s Energy Transition (19 March 2026)
