On July 1, 2019, Japan’s Strategic Policy Committee of Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy held its first meeting in six months to exchange views on recent energy trends and to consider the progress of policies for energy conversion and decarbonization in Japan. The meeting was held after the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth, which was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) on June 15 and 16.[1],[2]
During the meeting, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy briefed the Strategic Policy Committee on the agreement that was concluded during the G20 Ministerial Meeting on the importance of energy conversion, and the concept of a virtuous cycle for the environment and growth. The Agency also reported on recent trends and changes in energy security issues, including the energy supply and demand, geopolitical risk, environmental awareness, energy technology, and Japan’s position on energy policy.
After the briefing, the Strategic Policy Committee members gave their opinions on various issues. Given the rising tensions in the Middle East, the committee expressed the need to develop alternative plans to secure Japan’s crude oil supply without transiting the Strait of Hormuz, since currently about 80% of Japan’s crude oil supply transits through the area. Regarding the use of nuclear power, the committee raised its concerns about the lack of a clear strategy to promote nuclear power, despite the fact that the Japanese government has set a goal to expand nuclear energy from 20% to 22% of the country's energy mix by 2030. The committee also discussed the importance of technology innovation, such as IoT and digitalization, and emphasized that the government needs to consider how to promote innovation, solicit private investment, and utilize data, particularly for energy management and integration with other fields, such as the electrification of the transportation sector. [3]
[1] https://www.jaif.or.jp/190701-1
[2] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/06/20190618008/20190618008.html
[3] https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/committee/council/basic_policy_subcommittee/029/pdf/029_006.pdf