Letters | Japan should put more eggs in the renewable basket
Readers discuss Japan’s energy strategy, and how Hong Kong can do better on paper and plastic bottle recycling
In the face of structural constraints on large-scale renewable deployment, the restart could reduce Japan’s reliance on imported coal and liquefied natural gas, which cost about US$67 billion last year, while helping Tokyo to mitigate geopolitical risks by limiting exposure to external shocks and supply chain disruptions.
Yet nuclear power alone cannot secure Japan’s energy future. Renewables must expand faster. Removing approval delays, overcoming land-use challenges and reducing market uncertainties are essential in scaling solar, wind and other proven technologies.
The country’s strategic energy plan for 2040 – with an energy mix including renewables at up to 50 per cent and nuclear at 20 per cent – offers policy stability to businesses and promotes decarbonisation.