Vulnerability of University Students to Energy Poverty

This chapter explores energy poverty among university students in Japan, focusing on those living independently in private accommodations or dormitories. Despite Japan’s status as a developed nation, rising energy costs and low energy self-sufficiency have created challenges for vulnerable groups, including students. The chapter highlights students’ limited incomes, reliance on portable heating and cooling devices, and adaptive strategies to reduce energy costs, such as spending more time outside their homes. Through a survey of Japanese and non-Japanese students in Beppu City, this study identifies a significant energy poverty rate, with income emerging as a critical factor. The findings reveal that many students exceed the 10% energy-to-income threshold and highlight discrepancies between objective energy poverty indicators and students’ perceptions of financial strain. The chapter underscores the need for inclusive energy poverty research in Japan, incorporating vulnerable groups like students who have been systematically overlooked.