| As Japan is a country that is densely populated, | | | | conducive for energy production, so depend on |
| alternative energy development is a serious matter | | | | producing other alternative energy supplies of their |
| and cannot be compared to other markets. With | | | | own. They are very open to overseas investment as |
| wind energy in use, its continuation will depend on | | | | well as foreign development; the introduction of new |
| utilising near shore as well as offshore installations and | | | | and innovative technology will help them advance and |
| the possibilities here are endless. Once an energy | | | | become more independent. With Vestas and other |
| network is set up in Japan it is quickly taken up by | | | | corporations being allowed into Japan to help them |
| the market. As the offshore wind is usually stronger, | | | | more with wind-production, keeping it up and running |
| so the costs in installation become higher. The | | | | smoothly, the Japanese people are moving forward |
| efficiency of turbines is increasing so the price per | | | | and keeping up with the times towards |
| kilowatt-hour produced is lowering due to competition | | | | environmentally friendly renewable energy sources. |
| with equipment. Wind energy is generating more | | | | Japan have also caught on to another power source |
| interest and in comparison to other renewable energy | | | | - the microhydroelectric power plants. With its myriad |
| sources, it is proving more competitive. | | | | of rivers and available mountain streams, Japan is |
| In Svend Sigaard's words, "By utilising sites near or at | | | | absolutely ideal for placing microhydroelectric power |
| sea with good wind machines, then the price per | | | | plants to produce energy. The New Energy and |
| kilowatt-hour is competitive against other sources of | | | | Industrial Technology Development Organisation has |
| energy". Svend Sigaard is president and CEO to the | | | | defined them as power plants which run on water |
| biggest wind turbine maker in the world, Denmark's | | | | and having a maximum output of less or equal to 100 |
| 'Vestas Wind Systems'. Vestas has invested heavily | | | | kilowatts. "Minihydroelectric" power plants can, in |
| in capital for research, development and their efforts | | | | comparison, give an output of electrical energy to a |
| towards helping Japan to expand in generating | | | | maximum of 1000 kilowatts. |
| capacity in wind turbine power. Offshore installations | | | | For some considerable time now, Japan have |
| are being sought for the Japanese nation, who are | | | | regarded microhydroelectric and the smaller scaled |
| ready to put a lot of investment into alternative | | | | mini hydroelectric power plants as very suitable for |
| energy by much research and development. Their | | | | the mountainous terrains. Japanese cities now |
| efforts will surely pay off and they can then enjoy | | | | increasingly use these plants through refinement and |
| the fruits of their labour. | | | | have proved excellent. Smaller scale hydroelectric |
| Japan has long run their own course, refusing to | | | | power plants have been developed through the |
| follow other foreign nations - in World War II, the | | | | involvement of Japan Natural Energy Company, |
| U.S. crippled all their military equipment and their oil | | | | Kawasaki City Waterworks and Tokyo Electric |
| supplies - and refuse to be dictated to. Japan is an | | | | Power Company. |
| island with a lack of natural resources which are | | | | |