Publication date: Oct 5, 2026 Key Takeaways Japan’s GX-ETS is moving toward full implementation, with mandatory participation for large emitters beginning in FY2026 and a dedicated emissions allowance trading market planned for fall 2027. Power generators are expected to become subject to mandatory participation from Phase 3 in FY2033. For the power sector, the key …
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Publication date: Oct 2, 2026 Japan’s Household Electricity Bills to Hit Record Highs in October as Subsidies End Japan’s ten major utilities say household electricity bills for power consumed in October will reach record highs. Under their government-approved regulated tariffs, bills for a standard model household will increase by JPY 835–1,578 for payments due in …
Publication date: Sept 4, 2026 METI Outlines License Revocation Procedure for Dormant Electricity Retailers Following the July 2026 amendments to the Electricity Business Act, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will be able to revoke a retail license if, without a justifiable reason, the retailer (i) fails to commence its retail electricity business …
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Publication date: August 4, 2026 Key Takeaways Japan’s BESS market continues to expand, but its policy environment is becoming more demanding, with new domestic battery manufacturing targets, tighter grid connection procedures, and lower Balancing Market price caps. As the market matures, project viability will depend less on exceptional balancing revenues and more on securing grid …
Publication date: July 1, 2026 Key Takeaways Japan has set concrete targets for its nuclear power policy, but its nuclear revival faces four major challenges: nuclear waste management, gaining local consensus, high investment costs, and securing human resources. Despite these challenges, Japan will push forward with nuclear development in the coming decades. Japan’s Nuclear Revival …
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Publication date: May 19, 2026 METI Selects 38 Candidate GX Strategic Zones for Final Approval This Summer The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) selected promising zones under its GX Strategic Zone System, which aims to promote integrated development of decarbonized power and telecommunications infrastructure (‘watt-bit’ integration). A total of 38 zones were chosen …
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Publication date: April 14, 2026 METI to Set Up Three WGs to Rewire Market Design, Capacity Mechanisms, and Retail Obligations in Parallel The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) announced at the Next Generation Infrastructure Development Subcommittee that it will establish three new working groups (WGs) related to power system reform. The Power Supply …
Publication date: March 7, 2026 METI Moves to Tighten Oversight of Electricity Markets METI plans to expand its supervisory scope over electricity markets to enable it to ensure operational improvements in the Balancing Market and the planned Mid-Long Term Market,with the aim of promoting sound market operation, increasing participation, and stimulating market activity. The proposed …
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Publication date: Feb 5, 2026 Japan’s ETS Takes Shape: FY2026 Rule-Making Will Define Future Carbon Costs for Power and Industry From April this year, Japan will take a decisive step into carbon pricing with the launch of its first full-scale emissions trading system (ETS). Covering an estimated 300 to 400 companies and nearly 60% of …
