(The original article in Japanese was posted on June 17, 2022)

 

This summer, for the first time in seven years, the Japanese government will ask companies and households to save electricity. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s electricity supply and demand outlook, “the reserve rate of electricity supply in Tohoku region, Chubu region, and Tokyo will fall to 3.1%.” The reserve rate required for a stable supply is 3%. Supply is truly in the tenuous condition. A stable supply of energy is fundamental to people’s lives, business activities, and national security, so if it goes according to the outlook, request for saving power will be unavoidable. However, have all possible measures been taken to address the concerns about the supply and demand of electricity that have been occurring almost every year?

In July 2011, shortly after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the National Land Council of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced a policy proposal, which is that “Interregional electricity provision among areas under the jurisdiction of electric power companies is important, and expansion of transmission line capacity and frequency converter stations are necessary,” and “self-sustaining decentralized energy system is effective in reducing the risk of energy supply from distant areas, and integrated efforts across all sectors are required to realize this goal.” In other words, efforts beyond the discretion of existing operators need to be hastened now.

On June 7, 11th year from the tragedy, the government’s study group on electricity supply and demand released “Comprehensive Measures for Electricity Supply and Demand in FY2022.” This news release stated that “The use of decentralized power sources will be supported” and “Interregional connection lines will be further strengthened” as measures against power shortages. That is exactly what they had to do. The public opinion on these solutions should not be something to be divided. However, 11 years later, it is still “under consideration.” “The proposal at the time was implemented as a national policy that transcended regardless of party factions. Therefore, we can get through the difficult situation this year,” – This is what I wanted to hear.

Now, new divisions of the world increase the risk of a society that is centrally dependent on efficiency-first supply chains and giant systems. The current needs are not concentration but decentralization, not oligopoly but network.

We have also established the Carbon Neutral Business Institute to support business development that anticipates decarbonization and a self-sustaining decentralized economy. The institute will start this summer to create a new economic circulation model, taken place in Yatsugatake mountains. On July 5, a workshop* with a kick-off event will be held at Work Lab Yatsugatake in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. If you mention that you read this article (This Week’s Focus/Hirameki Shiten) at the registration desk, I (the author) will cover your registration fee! I hope to exchange ideas about the future of the decentralized economy in a relaxed atmosphere. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

※「ココラデプロジェクト」スタート、お弁当を食べながらカーボンニュートラルを考える「ココラデ ランチ講座～気候変動と食と私と地域」7/5開催のお知らせ

*”Cocolade Project” Starts; “Cocolade Lunch Seminar – Climate Change, Food, Me and My Community” will be Held on July 5, 2022, to Think About Carbon Neutrality Over Lunch

(You will jump to the page in Japanese)

 

This Week's Focus, June 17

Takashi Mizukoshi, the President