Japan has been a major player in the world of nuclear power, with a number of reactors reopening after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. With the continued focus on safety and the need for energy, Japan looks to continue this role for some time to come. The government’s stated aim is for nuclear power to provide 20-22% of electricity by 2030.
Regarding water usage, Japan is one of the world’s top water users and that use is growing. The country’s domestic use is roughly 132 liters per person per day, which is above the global average of about 120 liters. The country also uses groundwater for industrial and agricultural purposes. Together, these three sources account for about 10.8 billion meters of water per year. Though tap water is most commonly consumed, industrial water is also vital for many activities. For example, 820 million m3 of it is used for urban water, which makes up around 15% of the total amount of water used. Additionally, the amount of water resources developed through construction of dams and so forth is 11.9 billion m3 for tap water (approx.73% of the amount of water used).
Turning to natural gas, the Japanese consume more gas than they produce, but it is worth it because they use it so much. Japan imports more gas than it exports, but this is because of their large reserves. Japan is in 5th place for natural gas consumption, and it consumes 35,238 cubic feet of gas per capita every year.
Japan’s renewable energy sector is expected to boom as solar, wind, and hydro-power continue to increase in popularity. In 2021, renewable energy made up over 30% of Japan’s electricity demand, reaching over 75% on occasion and exceeding 100% in certain areas. Wind and solar energy were both prominent in this year’s electricity supply and demand data, with significant contributions from both sources.
A
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Asia Pacific Energy Resource Centre, Asian Nuclear Safety Network, Association For Electric Homes, Atomic Energy Society of Japan
B
Bureau of Waterworks for Tokyo Metropolitan Government
C
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Chubu Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power
E
Energy Data and Modelling Center
F
Federation of Electric Power Companies in Japan, Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan
G
Global Center for Urban Sanitation, Global Nuclear Fuel, Global Water Resources and Water for Agricultural Use in Japan, Green Power
H
Hachimantai Geothermal, Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Hiroshima City Waterworks Association, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Hokkaido Electric Power, Hokuriku Electric Power
I
Institute of Applied Energy, Institute of Energy Economics, International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management, International Superconductivity Technology Center, IWA Japan
J
J-Power, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Japan Atomic Energy Commission, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Japan Atomic Power, Japan Coal Energy Center, Japan Commission on Large Dams, Japan Education Center of Environmental Sanitation, Japan Electric Power Civil Engineering Association, Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technologies Laboratory, Japan Energy Conservation Handbook, Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation (JESCO), Japan Heat Service Utilities Association, Japan Nuclear Fuel, Japan Nuclear Technology Institute, Japan Sewage Works Association, Japan Society on Water Environment, Japan Water Agency, Japan Water Forum, Japan Water Research Center, Japan Water Works Association, Japan’s Strategy for Global Water Business, Japanese Society of Energy and Resources
K
Kansai Electric Power, Kyoto City Waterworks Bureau, Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute, Kyushu Electric Power
L
M
Ministry of the Environment, Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel
N
Naka Fusion Institute, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, New Energy Foundation, Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Nuclear Fuel Industries, Nuclear Fuel Transport, Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan
O
P
Policy Research Institute for Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Public Works Research Institute
R
Radiation Effects Research Organization, Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for Earth
S
Sewerage in Tokyo, Shikoku Electric Power
T
Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society, Tohoku Electric Power, Tokyo Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Electric Power
V
W
Water Re-use Promotion Center, Water Supply in Japan