Japan's Devils Energy

[Sparty]

Summary: Japan sits on top of a huge reserve of clean, cheap power. Some call it 'devil energy'

Japan is a resource-poor nation that relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs. However, the country also has abundant geothermal resources that could be used to generate electricity. However, the development of geothermal energy in Japan has been complicated by the country's tradition of onsen, or hot springs. Onsen are a popular tourist attraction in Japan, and many people believe that they have health benefits. As a result, there is a great deal of opposition to the development of geothermal plants in areas where onsen are located.

The town of Kusatsu in central Japan is a prime example of this conflict. Kusatsu is famous for its Yubatake, or "hot water field," where thousands of liters of naturally occurring hot water flow through the village center every minute. Onsen is the lifeblood of the town, attracting some 3 million visitors a year. Just over a decade ago, the town successfully blocked the development of a geothermal plant in a neighboring town.

The Japanese government has set a modest target of 1% of the nation's electricity to come from geothermal by 2030. However, it is unclear whether this target will be met, given the opposition to geothermal development from onsen communities.

In addition to the opposition from onsen communities, there are other challenges to the development of geothermal energy in Japan. These include the high cost of drilling and the risk of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Despite these challenges, there is still potential for geothermal energy to play a significant role in Japan's energy mix. The country has some of the most active geothermal areas in the world, and the technology for harnessing this energy is becoming increasingly efficient. If Japan can overcome the challenges to geothermal development, it could help to reduce the country's reliance on imported fossil fuels and improve its energy security.