“Climate Change Resilience through Regional Innovation” is a collaborative project between Waseda University and Gunma University that focuses on the issues of implementing renewable energy throughout the country. In order to develop a policy that incorporates renewable energy while supporting regional independence, The Emerging and Collaborative Regional Innovation Center surveyed over 1,600 municipalities and received responses from 414.
The survey revealed that other than independent energy solutions and disaster prevention measures, there is a need for new businesses that positively impact regional economics. Although these needs have been factored into the energy plans of municipalities, there is a lack understanding regarding energy consumption. It is also evident that there is a lack of specialized personnel among these institutions. Personal concerns such as solar panels blocking residents’ views also presented themselves in the survey.
In addition, over 80% of municipalities expressed their unfamiliarity of financial institutions incorporated in their energy plans and are requesting support in regards to this lack of information. With the data gathered through this project, residential, business, personnel, and research information is being distributed with the purpose of promoting effective renewable energy use.
Japan Science and Technology Agency and Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society
http://www.jst.go.jp/pr/info/info1028/index.html
Emerging and Collaborative Regional Innovation Center
http://www.waseda.jp/prj-sfsabi/ecoric/
Renewable Energy Implementation Survey Results (Japanese)
