Government approves Energy White Paper, promotes ‘Watt-Bit Collaboration’
On June 13, the government approved the 2025 Energy White Paper at a Cabinet meeting. It outlines policy guidelines based on the 7th Basic Energy Plan and the GX (Green Transformation) 2040 Vision.
The White Paper stated that it will promote “Watt-Bit Collaboration,” which integrates the development of data centers (DCs) — a factor behind the upward shift in electricity demand forecasts — with the development of power facilities. It also stated that measures would be considered to encourage consumers to secure decarbonized electricity on their own.
The government introduced innovative energy technologies to be emphasized in efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. It first highlighted next-generation communication technology, particularly photonic-electronic integration technology, showing its emphasis on addressing the increase in DC power demand. Perovskite solar cells were presented as being expected to play a role in both expanding renewable energy adoption and achieving regional coexistence.
Chapter 1 of Part 1 addressed progress in Fukushima’s recovery. It introduced the successful trial removal of fuel debris at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. It also detailed progress toward lifting evacuation orders in the difficult-to-return zone and the “Fukushima Innovation Coast Initiative” aimed at creating new industries in the Hamadori region.
As a new feature, the White Paper presents the trends in greenhouse gas reduction levels for the world’s ten major countries and regions. While Japan and the UK are on track to achieve their 2050 carbon neutrality targets, the US and the European Union (EU) are lagging behind, showing a divergence in progress. The reduction rate in final energy consumption also varies: some countries, such as Japan, have reduced it by 18% from the base year, while others, such as the US, have seen a 1% increase. The White Paper also summarizes the share of non-fossil fuel power generation, which remains at 31% in Japan compared with 82% in Canada and 87% in France.