Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Introduction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Energy Transition of the Electricity Sectors in the European Union and Japan

  • 117 Accesses

Abstract

This book’s key aim is to compare the European Union’s (EU) regulatory approach with the existing model in Japan. Based on this comparison, this study delves into the four elements of energy transition: electricity market, with action to liberalise it; action on the reduction of emission in the electricity sector; policies on renewable energy sources; and the agenda for enhancing energy efficiency. Looking back over the history of European–Japanese interactions, we can see various points of contact. In this regard, the book’s research purpose is to evaluate and compare the regulatory frameworks for achieving energy transitions in Japan and the EU. The primary goal of the research is to identify the regulatory models that the EU and Japan have used to transform the electrical industry. The book’s secondary purpose is to assess how much the Japanese energy transition model varies from the European regulatory models in order to determine the models’ convergence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Barton, B. (2006). The theoretical context of regulation. In B. Barton, A. Lucas, L. Barrera-Hernández, & A. Rønne (Eds.), Regulating energy and natural resources (pp. 11–33). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, J. (2002). Critical reflections on regulation. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/35985/1/Disspaper4-1.pdf. Accessed 21 Nov 2021.

  • Blau, J. (2017). The context of Paris: The MDGs and the SDGs. In The Paris agreement (pp. 85–94). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, P. D. (2007). Competition in energy markets: Law and regulation in the European Union (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury, S., et al. (2014). Importance of policy for energy system transformation: Diffusion of PV technology in Japan and Germany. Energy Policy, 68, 285–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Commission. (1996, November 20). Communication from the commission energy for the future: Renewable sources of energy green paper for a community strategy. COM(96) 576 final.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commission. (1997, April 23). Communication from the Commission: An overall view of energy policy and actions. COM(97) 167 final.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commission. (2019, December 11). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: The European Green Deal. COM(2019) 640 final. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2019%3A640%3AFIN

  • Commission. (2020, March 4). Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law). COM(2020) 80 final. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020PC0080

  • Compston, H., & Bailey, I. (2016). Climate policy strength compared: China, the US, the EU, India, Russia, and Japan. Climate Policy, 16(2), 145–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Council. (2018). Council Decision (EU) 2018/1197 of 26 June 2018 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council. (1993). Council Decision (EEC) 93/389 of 24 June 1993 for a monitoring mechanism of Community CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. OJ L167/31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowley, K., & Nakamura, A. (2018). Defining regional climate leadership: Learning from comparative analysis in the Asia Pacific. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice, 20(4), 387–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Almeida, L., Esposito, F., & van Zeben, J. (2022). When indicators fail electricity policies: Pitfalls of the EU’s retail energy market Barrier Index. Energy Policy, 165, 112892.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffield, J. S. (2015). Fuels paradise: Seeking energy security in Europe, Japan, and the United States. John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugger, W. M. (1989). Commentary to K. Nowotny, ‘The economics of public utility regulation: An overview’. In K. Nowotny, D. B. Smith, & H. M. Trebing (Eds.), Public utility regulation (pp. 28–34). Kluwer Academic Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. (2021). Case studies: EU-Japan industrial cooperation for decarbonization. https://www.eu-japan.eu/climate. Accessed 24 Nov 2021.

  • European Parliament. (1993, January 19). Resolution on the promotion of renewable forms of energy. A3-0405/92.

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Álvarez, M. T., Moreno, B., & Soares, I. (2016). Analyzing the environmental and resource pressures from European energy activity: A comparative study of EU member states. Energy, 115, 1375–1384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Government of Japan. (2019). The Long-term strategy under the Paris agreement. Tokyo, 11(7), 2019.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamakawa, Y. (1979). Present status of solar photovoltaic R&D projects in Japan. Surface Science, 86, 444–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hovi, J., Sprinz, D. F., & Bang, G. (2012). Why the United States did not become a party to the Kyoto Protocol: German, Norwegian, and US perspectives. European Journal of International Relations, 18(1), 129–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias, J. C. (2015). The EU as a security player in Asia: Can the EU-China strategic partnership be compatible with the EU-Japan strategic partnership? In H. Su (Ed.), Asian countries’ strategies towards the European Union in an inter-regionalist context (pp. 229–266). National Taiwan University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joskow, P. L. (2008). Lessons learned from electricity market liberalization. The Energy Journal, 29(Special Issue# 2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kato, H. (2017). Japan and Africa: A historical review of interaction and future prospects. Asia-Pacific Review, 24(1), 95–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keck, J. (2008). EU—Japan “Structured cooperation” and energy efficiency for Asia. Asia Europe Journal, 6(2), 205–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinley, R., et al. (2021). Beyond good intentions, to urgent action: Former UNFCCC leaders take stock of thirty years of international climate change negotiations. Climate Policy, 21(5), 593–603.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted on 1 December 1997, entered into force on 16 February 2005. (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  • Locke, L. A. (2001). Power’s on—But the cost! https://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/time/2001/12/31/energy.html. Accessed 21 Nov 2021.

  • Massai, L. (2012). European Climate and Clean Energy Law and Policy. Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, B., & Yeung, K. (2007). An introduction to law and regulation: Text and materials. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogus, A. I. (1994). Regulation: Legal form and economic theory. Clarendon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, K. H., et al. (2019). Sustainability labelling as a tool for reporting the sustainable development impacts of climate actions relevant to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 19(2), 225–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2015). Adopted on 12 December 2015, entered into force on 4 November 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parra, C., Kirschke, J., & Ali, S. H. (2020). Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. In C. Parra, B. Lewis, & S. H. Ali (Eds.), Mining, Materials, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (pp. 61–68). CRC Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Prosser, T. (2010). The regulatory enterprise: Government, regulation, and legitimacy. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rattani, V. (2019). Exploring the EU—India leadership dynamic on climate change. In G. Sachdeva (Ed.), Challenges in Europe (pp. 181–196). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, A/RES/70/1. (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sappington, D. E. M., & Stiglitz, J. E. (1987). Information and regulation. In E. E. Bailey (Ed.), Public regulation: New perspectives on institution and policies (pp. 3–43). MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheipers, S., & Sicurelli, D. (2008). Empowering Africa: Normative power in EU—Africa relations. Journal of European Public Policy, 15(4), 607–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skilling, J. (2001). https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/blackout/interviews/skilling.html. Accessed 22 Nov 2021.

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2015). Priorities of energy policy of Japan under Abenomics. In M. Sitek & M. Łęski (Eds.), Opportunities for cooperation between Europe and Asia (pp. 227–240). WSGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2016). China, energy, policy, evolution, revolution: Questions and answer. In J. Marszałek-Kawa (Ed.), Economic and energy stability in Asia: Perspectives and scenarios (pp. 219–242). Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2018). Burning out coal power plants with the Industrial Emissions Directive. The Journal of World Energy Law & Business, 11(3), 260–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2019a). Renewable energy communities in the law of the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. European Energy and Environmental Law Review, 28(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2019b). When black meets green: A review of the four pillars of India’s energy policy. Energy Policy, 130, 60–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2020a). Balancing energy regulation: A day-watchman approach. In R. Grzeszczak (Ed.), Economic freedom and market regulation: In search of proper balance (pp. 167–186). Nomos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M. (2020b). European Law on combined heat and power. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, J., & Bouzarovski, S. (2022). Decarbonisation of the Polish residential sector between the 1990s and 2021: A case study of policy failures. Energy Policy, 163, 112848.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M., & Heffron, R. (2022). Defining and conceptualising energy policy failure: The when, where, why, and how—The search for the just solutions. Energy Policy, 112745.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokołowski, M. M., & Kurokawa, S. (2022). Energy justice in Japan’s energy transition: Pillars of just 2050 carbon neutrality. The Journal of World Energy Law & Business [Preprint].

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, K. (1989). Sunshine project in Japan-solar photovoltaic program. Solar Cells, 26(1–2), 87–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatsuta, M. (1996). New sunshine project and new trend of PV R&D program in Japan. Renewable Energy, 8(1–4), 40–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, M. (2002). Analysing regulatory reform in Europe. Journal of European Public Policy, 9(6), 859–872.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ueta, T., & Remacle, E. (Eds). (2005). Japan and enlarged Europe: Partners in global governance. Peter Lang (4).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted 9 May 1992, entered into force 21 March 1994. (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, C. (1995). Identification of the role of renewable energy: A view from Japan’s challenge: The new sunshine program. Renewable Energy, 6(3), 237–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Żmijewski, K., & Sokołowski, M. M. (2010). Development of power grids in Poland in the context of EU climate and energy package. Acta Energetica, 3, 87–94.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Maciej M. Sokołowski

Authors
  1. Maciej M. Sokołowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maciej M. Sokołowski .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sokołowski, M.M. (2022). Introduction. In: Energy Transition of the Electricity Sectors in the European Union and Japan. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98896-8_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98896-8_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-98895-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-98896-8

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation