Japan prioritises energy security as policy shifts towards supply stability

The government’s seventh energy plan elevates electricity reliability over decarbonisation focus.

Japan has repositioned energy security as the central objective of its national energy policy, placing stable electricity supply at the forefront under its Seventh Strategic Energy Plan approved in February 2025, according to an analysis by the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ).

The move contrasts with the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan approved in 2021, which formally promoted the simultaneous pursuit of safety, energy security, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. In practice, carbon neutrality dominated policy emphasis during that period, whilst electricity supply stability received less explicit priority, the analysis said.

Electricity supply tightness experienced in 2022 featured prominently in subsequent policy discussions. Japan’s structural position as a resource-poor island nation exposes it to heightened supply-and-demand risks, reinforcing the need for reliable electricity provision as a policy anchor, the bulletin said.

Rising power demand linked to digital transformation has further increased pressure on the system. Japan recognised the risks associated with electricity shortages earlier than many other countries, reflecting vulnerabilities inherent in its energy structure rather than short-term market conditions, according to the analysis.

Within this framework, policy emphasis on the “maximum utilisation” of nuclear power has been framed as a response to energy security requirements rather than an ideological shift. The analysis said supply security has remained the most consistent underlying factor shaping Japan’s energy policy, even as formal priorities have evolved.

Japan has also articulated a strategy based on pursuing “multiple pathways” to strengthen energy security whilst advancing decarbonisation. This approach reflects national circumstances and seeks to limit policy volatility over time, which the analysis said is essential for maintaining long-term stability in a resource-constrained energy system.