{"id":249412,"date":"2025-12-24T15:21:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T15:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/249412\/"},"modified":"2025-12-24T15:21:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T15:21:08","slug":"japan-to-tighten-regulations-on-mega-solar-projects-to-protect-nature-landscape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/249412\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan to tighten regulations on mega-solar projects to protect nature, landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul data-testid=\"Summary\" class=\"summary-module__summary__QjADA\">\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Regulations aim to protect environment and ensure safety<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Support for large-scale solar projects to end in FY2027<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Perovskite solar cell development to receive increased backing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) &#8211; The Japanese government will tighten regulations and end financial support for large-scale solar power projects to protect the natural environment, ensure safety and preserve landscapes, government officials said.<\/p>\n<p>The move is part of a package of countermeasures targeting mega-scale solar farms endorsed on Tuesday and aligns with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&#8217;s <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/climate-energy\/japans-conventional-solar-stocks-tumble-after-takaichi-victory-2025-10-06\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">stance<\/a> calling for limits on large solar projects. She has argued that many panels are made overseas, notably in China, and that mega-solar installations risk damaging Japan&#8217;s scenery and natural environment.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"promo-box\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf article-body-module__promo-box__hVl8h\"> Sign up  <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/boards-policy-regulation\/japan-tighten-regulations-mega-solar-projects-protect-nature-landscape-2025-12-24\/undefined?location=article-paragraph&amp;redirectUrl=%2Fsustainability%2Fboards-policy-regulation%2Fjapan-tighten-regulations-mega-solar-projects-protect-nature-landscape-2025-12-24%2F\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Combined with growing uncertainty surrounding offshore wind projects due to rising costs and <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/climate-energy\/mitsubishi-quits-japan-offshore-wind-sites-citing-rising-costs-2025-08-27\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">developer withdrawals<\/a>, a potential slowdown in solar farm development could further dampen the pace of renewable energy growth in Japan, the world&#8217;s fifth-largest carbon dioxide emitter.<\/p>\n<p>The government is considering discontinuing support through the feed-in tariff (FIT) and feed-in premium (FIP) schemes for ground-mounted, large-scale commercial solar power generation starting in the fiscal year beginning in April 2027, an official at the industry ministry said.<\/p>\n<p>Under these schemes, renewable power producers are either guaranteed a fixed purchase price for electricity over a set period or sell power on the market while receiving a premium on top of the market price.<\/p>\n<p>Details, such as the exact project size threshold for terminating support will be finalised later, the official said.<\/p>\n<p>Support for existing facilities and residential installations will continue, while backing for the development of <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/japan\/sekisui-chem-begin-mass-production-perovskite-solar-cells-2027-2024-12-26\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">perovskite<\/a> solar cells will be strengthened. Perovskite solar cells are a next-generation solar technology developed by Japan and the government aims to <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/boards-policy-regulation\/nuclear-power-perovskite-solar-japans-domestic-energy-sources-are-important-pm-2025-10-24\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">promote<\/a> the development.<\/p>\n<p>The government will also consider expanding the scope of environmental assessments. Currently, solar projects under 30 megawatts are not subject to national assessments, but it will consider broadening this requirement, another official at the environment ministry said.<\/p>\n<p>The discussions follow a series of disputes over mega-solar development projects near Kushiro Wetland National Park in Japan&#8217;s northern island of Hokkaido and other areas. The government, led by the industry and environment ministries, began talks on strengthening regulations in September.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"SignOff\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__extra_small__8Buss body-module__full_width__kCIGb body-module__extra_small_body__Bfz20 sign-off-module__text__LQAMP\">Reporting by Yuka Obayashi<br \/>\nEditing by Tomasz Janowski<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"Body\" dir=\"ltr\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf article-body-module__element__5eCce article-body-module__trust-badge__5mS3f\">Our Standards: <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thomsonreuters.com\/en\/about-us\/trust-principles.html\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__medium__2Rl30 text-module__small__sph8i link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reutersagency.com\/en\/licensereuterscontent\/?utm_medium=rcom-article-media&amp;utm_campaign=rcom-rcp-lead\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\" class=\"button-module__link__A3sD0 button-module__secondary__70gBu button-module__round__QDFgq button-module__w_auto__Sem-F\" data-testid=\"LicenceContentButton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Purchase Licensing Rights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Regulations aim to protect environment and ensure safety Support for large-scale solar projects to end in FY2027 Perovskite&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":249413,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[269],"tags":[2786,82703,82760,53515,30900,1802,82711,83620,82710,85720,82702,18,91561,91562,82578,83599,7520,83601,83371,82571,440,45748,19,17,11203,45751,83604,83605,82964,83624,83612,83614,83606,83607,83616,82756,83363,83361,133,83608,15170,83618,83617,83366,82564,83367,83609,83629,95516],"class_list":{"0":"post-249412","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-asia","9":"tag-asxpac","10":"tag-clc","11":"tag-cn","12":"tag-co2","13":"tag-com","14":"tag-destousesg","15":"tag-destousnrg","16":"tag-destseabs","17":"tag-destseatp","18":"tag-easia","19":"tag-eire","20":"tag-eleu","21":"tag-elut","22":"tag-emrg","23":"tag-ener","24":"tag-energy","25":"tag-eng","26":"tag-enr","27":"tag-env","28":"tag-environment","29":"tag-gen","30":"tag-ie","31":"tag-ireland","32":"tag-jp","33":"tag-nrg","34":"tag-pwr","35":"tag-pwrgen","36":"tag-regs","37":"tag-repigovernance","38":"tag-repigrid-infrastructure","39":"tag-repisolar","40":"tag-rnw","41":"tag-rnwpwr","42":"tag-rsbiclean-energy","43":"tag-rsbiclimate-change","44":"tag-rsbiregulatory-oversight","45":"tag-rsbisustainable-markets","46":"tag-science","47":"tag-solpwr","48":"tag-sustainable-business","49":"tag-topicenergy-power","50":"tag-topicenergy-transition","51":"tag-topicmarkets-commodities-energy","52":"tag-topicreuters-impact-top-stories","53":"tag-topicsustasinability-the-switch","54":"tag-util","55":"tag-utlreg","56":"tag-utlsol"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249412"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249412\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}