［March 2014］
Examples of advanced policies of Japanese local governments

To learn from each other about advanced policies of local governments is very important not only domestically but also internationally.

One of the missions of CLAIR is to conduct international research about local governments’ challenges of other countries and introduce them to Japanese local governments.

CLAIR also started introducing the unique policies of Japanese local governments in English. I would like to show you the case of Kanagawa prefecture.

Since 2011, Kanagawa Prefecture has promoted the “Kanagawa Smart Energy Concept” that promotes “energy creation,” “energy saving” and “energy storage” in a comprehensive manner toward establishing a distributed energy system led by local communities. As part of the efforts for widespread introduction of solar power systems, a key measure for “energy creation,” the Prefecture has been committed to operation of a “Kanagawa Solar Bank System” since December 2011. This is the first approach among local governments in Japan that aims to ensure citizens can introduce residential photovoltaic (PV) systems at reasonable cost without any concerns through collaboration between the Prefecture, solar panel manufacturers, distributors and construction contractors.

For more detail and examples, please visit http://www.clair.or.jp/j/forum/pub/docs/2014fact.pdf.