Japanese Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa

In an interview given to Yomiuri Shimbun, Japanese Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa stated the government is aiming to introduce a new target for the country's environmental protection effort – 20% renewable energy generation by 2020. The new target will be promoted through a basic bill, to be submitted to the ordinary Diet session next year.

The new goal is twice as high as the one proposed by the Democratic Party of Japan, through their manifesto for the elections for the House of Representatives.

If the bill passes, Japan could be looking at a much greater role for solar, wind, marine, hydropower, biomass and other renewable energies in the near future. Thus far, renewable energy has accounted for about 1.8% of the country's total power production (2006 data), according to a white paper published by the government. This is lower than 3.7% in the US, or 5.3% in Germany.

One of the observations regarding the new renewable energy goal, is that the industry is growing in this sector around the world, and many countries are using the renewables sector to revitalize their economies and industry. Setting an ambitious target will help push the sector forward in Japan, according to Ozawa. Furthermore, the government will need to support the promotion of renewables and improve the electricity purchasing system, as well as the transmission system.

[source: Yomiuri Shimbun, image: fccj.or.jp]