ABSTRACT
Japan’s approach to greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation long advocated not only for energy efŽciency and renewable energy, but also for nuclear energy. This three-pronged approach, along with the contributions from Kyoto mechanisms and economic stagnation, had been effective in meeting the Kyoto Protocol obligation. However, in response to the massive earthquake and associated nuclear accident in March 2011, the Japanese government issued a moratorium on the restart of nuclear reactors and new construction, and the share of nuclear power in electricity generation declined sharply from 29% in FY 2010 to 11% in FY 2011, and to only 1.0% in FY 2013.1 A nationwide electricity-saving campaign slashed demand by 5%, and Japan was able to avert an electricity shortage due largely to successful nationwide energy saving campaign. Still, the sustained moratorium on nuclear energy caused the increased mobilization of thermal plants fueled by natural gas and petroleum, resulting in adverse impact on electricity costs and GHG emissions2 (Figure 10.1).
