In September 2015, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry ("METI") created a new council for the
development of renewable energy policy and flagged the
establishment of common energy-mix targets for Japan's power
sector. The Subcommittee for Reforming Systems Related to the
Introduction of Renewable Energy, a body made up of legal experts,
engineers, scientists, and economists, is responsible for
formulating and reviewing policies for the "sustainable
introduction and spread" of renewable energy in Japan.
METI's energy-mix plan would require liquefied natural gas
("LNG") to account for at least 50 percent of power
companies' energy production deriving from fossil fuels, with coal and other sources to
account for 50 percent or less. Entities that fail to comply with
these requirements after a grace period may be subject to
improvement orders and fines.
Japan has an emissions reduction target of 26 percent (on 2013
levels) by 2030 and a renewable energy target of 22 to 24 percent
by 2030. By that year, the country hopes to rely on coal for 26
percent of its energy needs, with LNG to account for 27
percent.
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