Search results

International audience ; Although Japan has abundant water resources, small and micro-scale hydropower which, according to surveys, potential is high, did not benefit much (compared to solar PV) from the Feed-in-Tariff scheme implemented in 2012 to more effectively support renewable energies. In a country whose energy self-sufficiency has always been low and is even lower since the Fukushima accident, it may seem somewhat surprising. Based on available surveys, literature on renewables, some interviews with smart communities' local authorities or researchers in Japan, this paper aims at discussing what the main issues relevant to explain this paradox are. It argues that reaching the government estimates towards 2050 will probably need more actions, incentives but more over a simplification of regulations, especially those on water management, which complexity is a major break to local promoters to engage in small and micro-scale hydropower projects, while local production/local consumption probably is one of the main issues for further development.

International audience ; Although Japan has abundant water resources, small and micro-scale hydropower which, according to surveys, potential is high, did not benefit much (compared to solar PV) from the Feed-in-Tariff scheme implemented in 2012 to more effectively support renewable energies. In a country whose energy self-sufficiency has always been low and is even lower since the Fukushima accident, it may seem somewhat surprising. Based on available surveys, literature on renewables, some interviews with smart communities' local authorities or researchers in Japan, this paper aims at discussing what the main issues relevant to explain this paradox are. It argues that reaching the government estimates towards 2050 will probably need more actions, incentives but more over a simplification of regulations, especially those on water management, which complexity is a major break to local promoters to engage in small and micro-scale hydropower projects, while local production/local consumption probably is one of the main issues for further development.

International audience ; Although Japan has abundant water resources, small and micro-scale hydropower which, according to surveys, potential is high, did not benefit much (compared to solar PV) from the Feed-in-Tariff scheme implemented in 2012 to more effectively support renewable energies. In a country whose energy self-sufficiency has always been low and is even lower since the Fukushima accident, it may seem somewhat surprising. Based on available surveys, literature on renewables, some interviews with smart communities' local authorities or researchers in Japan, this paper aims at discussing what the main issues relevant to explain this paradox are. It argues that reaching the government estimates towards 2050 will probably need more actions, incentives but more over a simplification of regulations, especially those on water management, which complexity is a major break to local promoters to engage in small and micro-scale hydropower projects, while local production/local consumption probably is one of the main issues for further development.

The Thai automotive industry first developed around Bangkok where Japanese car–makers were the first to open plants. During the 1980s, car–makers had to increase their local purchasing to cope with government local content policies. This led to a broader penetration of Japanese parts–makers who also tended to locate their plants close to their affiliated customer. In the 1990s, however, some changes appeared: firstly, the increasing market and the expectation of further growth pushed Japanese car–makers to establish new plants; secondly, the need to cut costs because of increased competition resulted in a new penetration of Japanese parts–makers and subcontractors; thirdly, the excessive concentration around Bangkok pushed the government to implement new policies to develop and industrialize peripheral areas by investing in infrastructures and offering incentives. Additional clusters appeared in several new industrializing areas outside the Bangkok suburb, mainly on the eastern seaboard, with Japanese car and parts–makers opening their new plants in these areas, and with Ford and GM, followed by American parts–makers, also choosing such locations. The article presents these changes in the clustering dynamics in relation to firms' strategies and public policies, discussing these issues within the framework of the role of the Thai automobile industry in South–East Asia (ASEAN).L'industrie automobile thaïlandaise s'est dans un premier temps développé autour de Bangkok où les constructeurs automobiles japonais ont ouvert les premières lignes d'assemblage. Dans les années quatre–vingt, la politique de contenu national mise en uvre par le gouvernement a incité les constructeurs à augmenter leurs achats locaux, ce qui a conduit à l'implantation dans la même région, des fournisseurs japonais pour alimenter les usines de leurs clients. La décennie suivante a été marquée par plusieurs inflexions: la croissance effective et potentielle du marché a conduit les constructeurs japonais àédifier de nouvelles usines d'assemblage; le renforcement de la pression concurrentielle a rendu nécessaire une réduction des coûts, favorisant l'arrivée de nouveaux entrants dans l'industrie des composants; la concentration excessive dans la région de Bangkok a amené le gouvernement a mettre en uvre une politique de développement et d'industrialisation des régions périphériques par la construction d'infrastructures et des mesures volontaristes d'aide à l'aménagement du territoire. Des complexes automobile se sont édifiés dans de nouveaux espaces en dehors de Bangkok et sa banlieue, principalement vers le bord de mer au sud est. Les nouvelles implantations de constructeurs et fournisseurs japonais ont été suivies par l'arrivée des firmes américaines (Ford et GM). Le papier retrace l'évolution de ces dynamiques d'agglomération en Thaïlande, résultats des stratégies des firmes automobiles et des politiques publiques, tout en analysant la place que prend ce pays en Asie du Sud Est (ASEAN).

Petites et moyennes industries (PMI). Examines strategies adopted by small- and medium-sized Japanese enterprises to face technological change, emphasizing staff training and the recruitment of a more suitable workforce. Summary in English.

International audience ; Sustainable development, energy saving, reduction of greenhouse gazes' emissions, have influenced public policies in recent years in most advanced economies. It is the case of Japan which counts on innovation and has placed green innovation at the core of its future growth dynamics. It is also the case in France since the 2009 "Grenelle of Environment", a national consultation which gave birth to local initiatives following the Climate Change Plans implementation by cities, up to the recent national debate on energetic transition.The development of an environmental consciousness and of the emergency to act toward a reduction in energy consumption was accelerated in Japan by the nuclear accident of Fukushima, which can be seen as opening new perspectives in terms of acceptability of changes by population. The recent energy transition plan announced by the French government also might open a new phase in the launching of national policies to sustain local or individual initiatives.Mainly based on case studies in Japan and France, the paper will first present the policy framework before focusing more precisely on the experimentations of next generation energy systems in cities, a program that METI has launched in 2010 giving birth to smart communities. These aim at testing on a real scale, how could be coordinated energy management that makes efficient the use of renewable energy resources, environmentally friendly transportation systems etc. Four areas have been selected in Japan in 2010, while NEDO also engaged in international cooperation of smart communities abroad including the city of Lyon in France.

International audience ; Sustainable development, energy saving, reduction of greenhouse gazes' emissions, have influenced public policies in recent years in most advanced economies. It is the case of Japan which counts on innovation and has placed green innovation at the core of its future growth dynamics. It is also the case in France since the 2009 "Grenelle of Environment", a national consultation which gave birth to local initiatives following the Climate Change Plans implementation by cities, up to the recent national debate on energetic transition.The development of an environmental consciousness and of the emergency to act toward a reduction in energy consumption was accelerated in Japan by the nuclear accident of Fukushima, which can be seen as opening new perspectives in terms of acceptability of changes by population. The recent energy transition plan announced by the French government also might open a new phase in the launching of national policies to sustain local or individual initiatives.Mainly based on case studies in Japan and France, the paper will first present the policy framework before focusing more precisely on the experimentations of next generation energy systems in cities, a program that METI has launched in 2010 giving birth to smart communities. These aim at testing on a real scale, how could be coordinated energy management that makes efficient the use of renewable energy resources, environmentally friendly transportation systems etc. Four areas have been selected in Japan in 2010, while NEDO also engaged in international cooperation of smart communities abroad including the city of Lyon in France.

International audience ; Sustainable development, energy saving, reduction of greenhouse gazes' emissions, have influenced public policies in recent years in most advanced economies. It is the case of Japan which counts on innovation and has placed green innovation at the core of its future growth dynamics. It is also the case in France since the 2009 "Grenelle of Environment", a national consultation which gave birth to local initiatives following the Climate Change Plans implementation by cities, up to the recent national debate on energetic transition.The development of an environmental consciousness and of the emergency to act toward a reduction in energy consumption was accelerated in Japan by the nuclear accident of Fukushima, which can be seen as opening new perspectives in terms of acceptability of changes by population. The recent energy transition plan announced by the French government also might open a new phase in the launching of national policies to sustain local or individual initiatives.Mainly based on case studies in Japan and France, the paper will first present the policy framework before focusing more precisely on the experimentations of next generation energy systems in cities, a program that METI has launched in 2010 giving birth to smart communities. These aim at testing on a real scale, how could be coordinated energy management that makes efficient the use of renewable energy resources, environmentally friendly transportation systems etc. Four areas have been selected in Japan in 2010, while NEDO also engaged in international cooperation of smart communities abroad including the city of Lyon in France.