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Decarbonisation of the power sector to engender a ‘Just transition’ in Japan: Quantifying local employment impacts

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  • Kuriyama, Akihisa
  • Abe, Naoya

Abstract

“Just Transition” is an important, brand new concept to implement policies towards decarbonisation of the power sector in Japan. However, a knowledge gap still remains between this concept and policy discussion at a practical level. Therefore, using the existing scenarios of decarbonisation of the power sector and employment factors for the power sector based on extended input-output tables, this study analysed “Just Transition” issues, looking at the concept from three aspects: distributional justice to identify key impacts by location and economic sector; recognition justice to assess key inequalities; and procedural justice which deal with fair process and possible measures to enhance acceptability of climate policies. The results of this study show that achieving decarbonisation of the power sector provides a net increase in domestic employment and supplies stable jobs in rural areas, thereby contributing to the revitalisation of the local economy. Furthermore, it improves inequalities in the working age population. Support from either national or local government is required to ensure a workforce is in place to enable a rapid increase in renewable energy. To achieve decarbonisation of the power sector with high political acceptability, it is essential to make early decision on the retirement of conventional power plants and to implement policy support for the surplus workers from conventional power plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuriyama, Akihisa & Abe, Naoya, 2021. "Decarbonisation of the power sector to engender a ‘Just transition’ in Japan: Quantifying local employment impacts," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:137:y:2021:i:c:s1364032120308947
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110610
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    2. Wei, Chuanhui & Zhang, Yongji & Lan, Minghui & Su, Zhi & Du, Heran & Wang, Ke, 2024. "How could we benefit from a low-carbon economy? Evidence from Chinese regional labor markets," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 523-537.
    3. Zhang, Shuo & Yu, Yadong & Kharrazi, Ali & Ma, Tieju, 2023. "How would sustainable transformations in the electricity sector of megacities impact employment levels? A case study of Beijing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    4. Zhang, Xiaoli & Cui, Xueqin & Li, Bo & Hidalgo-Gonzalez, Patricia & Kammen, Daniel M & Zou, Ji & Wang, Ke, 2022. "Immediate actions on coal phaseout enable a just low-carbon transition in China’s power sector," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    5. Liu, Yishuang & Dong, Hanmin, 2026. "Barrier or driver: Patent thickets in the path of technological transition," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    6. ur Rehman, Anis & Sanjari, Mohammad J. & Elavarasan, Rajvikram Madurai & Jamal, Taskin, 2026. "Sustainability-aligned pathways for energy transition: A review of low-carbon energy network solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PE).
    7. Skare, Marinko & Qian, Yu & Xu, Zeshui & Gou, Xunjie, 2024. "Energy justice and gaps in sustainable development: A convergence testing and clustering study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    8. Jabar, Rudeena & Sharma, Anjali & Songola, Haritha, 2026. "An Analytical Framework for the Assessment of Employment Impacts of Energy Transition," SocArXiv 3agz4_v1, Center for Open Science.
    9. Guo, Zhi & Mao, Xianqiang & Lu, Jianhong & Gao, Yubing & Chen, Xing & Zhang, Shining & Ma, Zhiyuan, 2024. "Can a new power system create more employment in China?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).

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