From July 2024 to June 2025, Japan's electricity consumption leaned heavily on fossil fuels, with more than half of the electricity generated from these sources. Specifically, gas and coal contributed almost a third each, making them substantial pillars of Japan's energy mix. Meanwhile, low-carbon sources constituted slightly more than a third of the country's electricity, with solar power leading this group by contributing about 11%. Nuclear, hydropower, biofuels, and wind made up the rest, with nuclear and hydro each generating close to a tenth, and biofuels and wind producing less than 5% and close to 1%, respectively. Despite these efforts in low-carbon sources, Japan's heavy reliance on gas and coal remains a challenge, impacting not only environmental goals but also long-term energy security.
Data sources used on this page include IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Japan?
Unfortunately, Japan's overall electricity consumption seems to be in decline rather than growing. The latest annual consumption was measured at 7833 kWh per person, down significantly from the peak in 2010, showcasing a shrinkage of 1302 kWh per person over that period. This drop is also reflected in Japan's clean energy sector. The most recent low-carbon electricity consumption per capita is lower than it was back in 1998 when it reached 3543 kWh per person, showing a decrease of 830 kWh per person since then. These trends are concerning at a time when the world is aiming for more electricity use to support technological advancements and reduce reliance on dirtier fuels.
Suggestions
To reverse these trends and increase low-carbon electricity generation, Japan must intensify its efforts to expand solar electricity, given its current substantial contribution within Japan’s mix. Learning from regions like California and Nevada, where solar plays a big role, can be an advantage. Furthermore, amplifying nuclear energy in Japan's portfolio, similar to how France and Slovakia have successfully integrated nuclear to supply more than half of their electricity needs, can also be beneficial. While solar could capture the abundance of daylight, enhanced nuclear capacity can ensure stable, continuous power supply regardless of weather conditions. By leveraging these clean energy technologies, Japan can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and aid in combating climate change and air pollution effectively.
History
In the history of low-carbon electricity in Japan, there were periods of growth, particularly between the late 1970s and early 1990s when Japan significantly increased its nuclear capacity, with notable additions like the 27.7 TWh increase in 1978 and a 26 TWh growth in 1993. However, setbacks occurred in the early 2000s and post-2011 due to various circumstances, causing declines in nuclear output, such as the sharp drop of 186.5 TWh in 2011. Despite these hurdles, more recent years have seen nuclear increments, like the 32 TWh rise in 2018 and 25.8 TWh in 2023. This checkered history reflects the potential and necessity for a robust resurgence in nuclear electricity to complement Japan's low-carbon energy goals.
