Public Perceptions of Climate Change and ... - Cardiff University

Figure 1b. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the following energy sources
will make a substantial contribution to reliable and secure supplies of electricity in
Japan (% tend to/strongly agree)
Figure 1b shows the level of agreement that the different energy sources will make a
substantial contribution to reliable and secure supplies of electricity in Japan in the future.
The overall pattern of responses is comparable to the one observed for Britain. In 2007, a
clear majority of the Japanese public thought that sun/solar, wind and hydroelectric power
will make a substantial contribution to reliable and secure supplies of energy in Japan,
followed by biomass and gas. A minority of less than 30% thought that nuclear, oil and gas
will make a substantial contribution to energy security.
Fewer people in 2011 than in 2007 thought that any of the eight energy sources will make a
substantial contribution to energy security in the future. The biggest decrease was found for
renewables (in particular wind, hydroelectric and biomass) and nuclear power. The results
regarding nuclear power are perhaps not surprising in the light of the Fukushima accident
and the consequent shutdown of most nuclear power stations in Japan. However, the other
changes are more difficult to interpret. The most likely explanation is that the Japanese
public think that renewables may not be sufficient or cannot be developed fast enough to
plug the energy gap left by the closure of nuclear power plants. It is also a possibility that the
results reflect more generic concerns regarding energy security, considering there was a
reduction for all eight energy sources.
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