Electricity in Japan in 2023

In 2023, Japan's electricity consumption continues to be heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than half of its electricity generated from fossil sources. Gas contributes approximately 32% to the electricity mix, while coal makes up about 30%. Low-carbon sources constitute nearly 30% of Japan's electricity generation. Within this category, solar power accounts for nearly 10%, nuclear energy provides about 8%, and hydropower adds another 7%. Geothermal and biofuels together contribute around 4%. Oil, which also falls under fossil fuels, represents a minor share, at approximately 3%.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Japan can take lessons from countries that have successfully implemented low-carbon technologies. France and Slovakia have achieved remarkable success in nuclear energy, with both countries generating more than 60% of their electricity from this source. Similarly, South Korea, like Japan, is an industrialized nation with nuclear technology, generating nearly 30% of its electricity from nuclear power. On the wind energy front, Denmark and Uruguay have demonstrated that wind can be a substantial part of the electricity mix, contributing 53% and 35% respectively. By investing in both nuclear and wind energy, Japan can significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating adverse environmental impacts like climate change and air pollution.

History

Historically, Japan has seen significant fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity generation, particularly in nuclear energy. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, nuclear generation increased steadily, with significant leaps like the 27.7 TWh increase in 1978 and further increments in the following years. However, setbacks began to emerge in the early 2000s, with notable declines in 2002 and 2003. Despite a brief recovery in 2004 and 2005, nuclear power faced a critical downturn in 2011, with a dramatic reduction of 186.5 TWh following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. A continued decline occurred in 2012, but by 2018, nuclear output again saw a revival with a 32 TWh increase, followed by a smaller yet positive change in 2021 and 2023. This history indicates that while Japan has the capability and infrastructure for nuclear energy, careful management and public trust are crucial for its continued growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources