Shulman Advisory

Capacity Market Reforms Create New Opportunities Amid Tightening Supply

Publication date: Nov 3, 2026  Capacity Market Reforms Create New Opportunities Amid Tightening Supply Japan’s capacity market is undergoing significant reforms as the country prepares for rising electricity demand, particularly from AI-driven data centers. These changes will reshape how future generation capacity is secured, with important implications for investment decisions, revenue opportunities, and business strategies …

METI Explores Measures for Faster Data Center Connections

Publication date: Oct 23, 2026  METI Explores Measures for Faster Data Center Connections A working group under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has begun discussions on accelerating grid connections for large-scale electricity consumers, including data centers and semiconductor plants. In some regions, a sharp increase in grid connection applications has put pressure …

Japan’s GX-ETS Market Design: Implications for Power Prices and Market Dynamics

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 …

Mid-Long-Term Market Update: Trading Areas and Mandatory Generator Offers

Publication date: Oct 2, 2026  Mid-Long-Term Market Update: Trading Areas and Mandatory Generator Offers The planned Mid-Long-Term Market will allow electricity retailers to procure power one and three years ahead to meet their supply capacity obligations. The Mid-Long-Term Market Design Working Group (WG) recently advanced discussions on two key elements of the planned market: how …

New Power Traders Association to Make Policy Recommendations for the Planned Mid-Long-Term Market

Publication date: Sept 18, 2026  New Power Traders Association to Make Policy Recommendations for the Planned Mid-Long-Term Market More than 20 companies engaged in physical power trading in Japan have established the Japan Power Traders Association (JPTA) to provide practical industry input and policy recommendations on improving market design and trading rules. The voluntary association …

Japan Data Center Update 35: GX Strategic Zones: Japan Targets GW-Scale Data Center Clusters Across Nine Zones

Publication date: Sept 15, 2026  Japan Data Center Update 35: GX Strategic Zones: Japan Targets GW-Scale Data Center Clusters Across Nine Zones The designated GX Strategic Zones by types are as follow: (1) Industrial Complex Redevelopment Type: One zone METI designated Kawasaki City, which plans to establish a production scale-up hub for GX-related startups in …

METI Outlines License Revocation Procedure for Dormant Electricity Retailers

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 …

Japan’s Mid-Long Term Market design takes shape

Publication date: Sept 1, 2026  Key Takeaways Japan is moving toward longer-term electricity procurement, with proposed obligations requiring retailers to secure 50% of expected demand three years ahead and 70% one year ahead. A new Mid-Long Term Market is expected to begin in FY2028 to support this shift. Retailers will be able to meet these …

Tighter Grid Connection Rules for Low-Voltage BESS and Large-Scale Demand

Publication date: Aug 10, 2026  Tighter Grid Connection Rules for Low-Voltage BESS and Large-Scale Demand The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) presented plans at an expert meeting to extend stricter grid connection rules to low-voltage grid-scale BESS facilities. METI has already introduced measures for generation facilities, including BESS facilities connected at high voltage …

JEPX Spot Price Hits Three-and-a-Half-Year High Despite Adequate Summer Reserves

Publication date: Aug 10, 2026  JEPX Spot Price Hits Three-and-a-Half-Year High Despite Adequate Summer Reserves Despite record-breaking heat this summer so far, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has refrained from issuing electricity conservation requests as reserve margins from July through September are expected to remain above the 3% minimum required for stable …