Tokyo, Aug. 21 (Jiji Press)–Major Japanese paper manufacturers are developing a new wood fiber material that could help promote decarbonization and reduce the use of plastics.   With demand for paper in the doldrums, the industry is looking to expand the use of wood, a renewable resource, beyond paper products.   Domestic demand for paper and paperboard has been falling….Read more

Questions & answers (%) (Figures in parentheses are the results of the survey conducted on July 14–16, 2023.)   Q1: Do you support the Kishida Cabinet?   Yes 33.6 (34.3) No 50.0  (48.6) Don’t know (D/K) + No answer (N/A) 16.4 (17.1)   Q2: (Only for those who answered “yes” to the previous question) What is the primary reason for your….Read more

TORU TSUNASHIMA and TAMAKI KYOZUKA, Nikkei staff writers   TOKYO — China is emerging as a research powerhouse for perovskite solar cells, an alternative to the current mainstream technology that could make renewable energy more widespread.   China has produced over 5,500 international academic papers on perovskite cells since 2019, according to a study by Tokyo-based data analysis provider Fronteo.….Read more

Tokyo, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press)–Retail gasoline prices in Japan have been rising sharply in recent months and may top 200 yen per liter, economists said.   The nationwide average of retail regular gasoline prices was 181.9 yen per liter as of Monday, close to its record high of 185.1 yen marked on Aug. 4, 2008, according to the industry ministry.….Read more

RYOSUKE HANAFUSA, Nikkei staff writer   HOUSTON, U.S. — Japanese chemicals company Kureha will partner with Brazilian state energy group Petrobras to develop a new way to capture carbon dioxide from offshore oil fields.   Kureha will start developing a new catalyst to be used in a carbon capturing device this fiscal year at its research facility in northeastern Japan,….Read more

YASUKI OKAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer   TOKYO — China is emerging as a dominant player in global wind power generation, with the country’s manufacturers supplying nearly 60% of installed capacity worldwide in 2022.   The figures, compiled by the Brussels-based Global Wind Energy Council, signal that China is claiming a commanding share in both the wind power and solar panel….Read more

An accident that caused local damage occurred at a site being surveyed for the generation of geothermal power, which is considered to be one of the most promising renewable energy sources. It is essential to remember that ensuring safety is a prerequisite for the spread of geothermal power generation.   The government and the operator should investigate the cause of….Read more

TOKYO – Japan is preparing to hold a foreign ministers’ meeting with the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Saudi Arabia in early September, diplomatic sources said Sunday.   The move comes as Japan aims to strengthen relations with oil-producing countries in the Middle East to ensure a stable energy supply as China’s foothold grows in the….Read more

This summer, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) renamed its divisions that include fossil fuels in their titles. The divisions have long supported Japan’s resource diplomacy and the stable supply of resources to Japan. The divisions have also produced many senior METI officials over the years. The global trend toward a decarbonized society led ANRE to make the….Read more