Prevalence of energy poverty in Japan: A comprehensive analysis of energy poverty vulnerabilities

Energy poverty, defined as the inability to fulfil adequate levels of domestic energy services, has been analysed in Japan previously. However, neither policy agendas nor official definitions of energy poverty have been established yet, resulting in the neglect of energy-poor households and other re...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Castaño de la Rosa, Raúl, Okushima, S.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Consejo General de la Arquitectura Técnica de España (CGATE)
Repositorio:RIARTE
OAI Identifier:oai:www.riarte.es:20.500.12251/2641
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12251/2641
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85104066696&doi=10.1016%2fj.rser.2021.111006&partnerID=40&md5=3b854b5259213b7f954866f66ab064a5
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Pobreza energética
Japón
Impacto medioambiental
Problemas sociales
3305.14 Viviendas
3311.02 Ingeniería de Control
3322.01 Distribución de la Energía
6310.09 Calidad de Vida
6310.08 Pobreza
6310.11 Bienestar Social
Descripción
Sumario:Energy poverty, defined as the inability to fulfil adequate levels of domestic energy services, has been analysed in Japan previously. However, neither policy agendas nor official definitions of energy poverty have been established yet, resulting in the neglect of energy-poor households and other relevant aspects of this issue. This study is the first to examine the contextual factors of energy poverty in Japan, through the perspective of energy poverty vulnerabilities. The study uses a new multidimensional approach, covering the issues of affordability and accessibility to different forms of energy, as well as the effects of new technologies on the risk of energy poverty. The study develops several unexplored issues in previous literature, such as access to low-carbon energy as an issue in developed countries. The results highlight the role of location, infrastructure and household characteristics in influencing the risk of suffering energy poverty in Japan. The seasonality of energy poverty in Japan is also analysed, revealing higher rates of energy poverty in the northern regions during winter and in the southernmost region during summer. Finally, the impact of the ongoing energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy on energy poverty is discussed. © 2021 The Author(s)