Present state of energy conservation and government policy in Japan

Japan is a very densely populated and highly industrialized country which has to import fuels (mostly oil) needed to produce 88% of the energy which it consumes for its own use and to produce goods for export which is the mainstay of its economy. Energy conservation has two aspects for the Japanese: an economic and a moral one. Energy is a cost component of exported industrial products, which must be priced competitively—hence the economic imperative for efficient use of energy. Japan is also one of the world's largest energy consumers and the Japanese are aware of their moral obligation toward the rest of humanity to use the resources of our globe thriftily. The realization of the importance of energy conservation and efficiency is universal in Japan and February is designated as a month dedicated to improve energy efficiency. Japanese goods are designed not only so as to consume as little energy as possible in their manufacturing but also to save energy during their subsequent use. This is dramatically illustrated in graphs and tables enclosed in the paper. The replacement of industrial equipment and processes by new, more energy-efficient machines and methods is commonplace whenever a short-term (1–2 yr) return of the capital outlay can be expected. This is now being extended to cases with long-term (5–10 yr) capital returns. A “Law for the Rationalization of Energy Consumption” gives a comprehensive list of measures pertaining to manufacturing industries, buildings, machines and appliances. A summary of the law is given in the Appendix to the paper.