"Because of the shift to hybrids, as well as increasingly stringent fuel mileage standards on gasoline cars, a new Japanese car has among the lowest emissions per mile of driving among rich countries."
Here, I'd like to add that having around a third of newly sold cars in Japan being kei cars also helps on the emissions front.
Dear Richard, very good analysis and a pity to see, that Japan was once leading in solar power and now moves so slow, the share is only half what it is in Germany (which also could do better!). The now switch to nuclear power again is not understandable - maybe only for the nuclear village - as nuclear is dangerous - it should not be used in earthquake countries as the whole plant itself cannot resist such quakes - and it also blocks the development of renewable energies. That is why Japan is behind, although it has fantastic possibilities with sun and good companies!
"Because of the shift to hybrids, as well as increasingly stringent fuel mileage standards on gasoline cars, a new Japanese car has among the lowest emissions per mile of driving among rich countries."
Here, I'd like to add that having around a third of newly sold cars in Japan being kei cars also helps on the emissions front.
Dear Richard, very good analysis and a pity to see, that Japan was once leading in solar power and now moves so slow, the share is only half what it is in Germany (which also could do better!). The now switch to nuclear power again is not understandable - maybe only for the nuclear village - as nuclear is dangerous - it should not be used in earthquake countries as the whole plant itself cannot resist such quakes - and it also blocks the development of renewable energies. That is why Japan is behind, although it has fantastic possibilities with sun and good companies!
How can that be changed?
you really outlined the scale of the missed opportunity...
The LDP had intended the FIT to apply only to surplus electricity, but the LDP wanted it to apply to all solar-generated electricity.
I think you mean DPJ for the first part?