Society

Plan to push down solar power prices

Sep 14 (NHK) - Japanese government officials are working on a plan to make the market for solar electricity more competitive. They say they will auction off a greater number of contracts for solar projects in a bid to push down prices.

Japanese utilities are required by law to buy solar electricity generated by businesses and households. They currently pay some of the highest prices in the world.

In a bid to lower those prices, the government introduced an auction system.

It forces businesses to put in the lowest possible bid for the right to build big solar power stations with outputs of over 2,000 kilowatts per hour.

Industry ministry officials say they will expand the so-called "reverse auctions" to include smaller projects.

The aim is to push down prices for solar electricity provided by businesses from about 16 cents to 8 cents for a kilowatt per hour. They hope to do that by 2022 at the earliest.

The officials expect that by 2025, the price of solar electricity from households will fall from 23 cents to 10.

Typhoon No. 24 Poses Heavy Rain Threat to Okinawa

Typhoon No. 24 is currently located over the southern seas and is expected to track westward toward Vietnam later this week, with no direct impact anticipated on Japan. As of now, the storm’s central pressure is 1000 hectopascals, with maximum sustained winds reaching 20 meters per second. Satellite imagery shows a significant cloud mass developing in the southern region, indicating intensified activity around the system.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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