Wind Energy – Japan
Japan has identified two new areas for offshore wind development in a bid to reignite momentum behind its green energy transition, following setbacks in the country’s flagship renewable programme.
The government last week designated waters off Akita City in the north and Hibikinada, near Fukuoka, in the south as ‘promising zones’ for future offshore wind farms.
The move aims to boost renewable energy development and enhance energy security as Japan strives to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
The announcement comes at a sensitive moment for Japan’s offshore wind industry, which has faced turbulence after the withdrawal of a Mitsubishi Corp.-led consortium from the country’s first major wind auction. The exit, prompted by soaring construction and financing costs, dented investor confidence and raised questions about the financial viability of large-scale projects.
By designating new development zones, the government hopes to restore faith in its long-term renewable plans. Under Japan’s regulatory framework, sites move from ‘preparatory’ to ‘promising’ and eventually to ‘promotion zones’ — the final stage before an auction and full-scale development can begin.
In addition to the two upgraded sites, officials named three new preparatory zones off Asahi City in Chiba Prefecture, Goto Island in Nagasaki — where floating turbines are being considered — and Ichikikushikino City in Kagoshima.
Three areas — Akita, Asahi, and Hibikinada — were also selected for joint government and local authority surveys under a new ‘centralised approach’ designed to streamline environmental studies and planning approvals.
Offshore wind power is a central pillar of Japan’s renewable strategy, but the sector’s slow progress has exposed the challenges of balancing climate ambitions with economic realities. High development costs, complex local permitting, and grid constraints have all slowed deployment.
The government is now reviewing its auction scheme and considering additional support for developers, including measures to stabilise investment conditions and reduce risk.
Despite recent setbacks, officials insist Japan’s offshore wind potential remains vast — particularly in northern and southern waters where wind speeds are strongest.
The latest site designations are seen as a signal that Tokyo intends to stay the course, even as it recalibrates policy to make the sector more resilient.
