Research subject – 福島原発事故後の省エネ生活 (Energy-saving life after the Fukushima nuclear accident): energy saving in daily life, the energy-supply debate, traditional wisdom on saving energy

Q: What was the Setsuden movement and why was it introduced?

Setsuden (節電) was a national electricity conservation campaign launched after the 2011 Fukushima disaster to address severe power deficits, including a mandatory \(15\%\) cut for large-scale consumers.

Q: How did smart technology help households manage energy after 2011?

Smart meters allowed for the "visualization" ( mieruka ) of electricity consumption, while LED lighting significantly reduced the wattage required for illumination.

Q: What are some common household habits used to reduce energy in Japan?

Habits include reducing standby power ( taiki denryoku ), using eco-modes on appliances, and adjusting the temperature settings of refrigerators and heated toilet seats.

Q: What is Uchimizu and how does it work?

Uchimizu is the traditional practice of sprinkling water on the ground, which cools the air through evaporative cooling ( kikanetsu ).

Japanese (9JA0) · Pearson Edexcel A Level · 7 min read · Updated: 27 Aug 2026

Theme 4: 東日本大震災後の日本 — 福島原発事故後の省エネ生活 (Energy-Saving Life After the Fukushima Nuclear Accident)

Welcome to your complete revision guide for Research Subject 4! In the Pearson Edexcel A Level Japanese specification, this topic falls under Theme 4: 東日本大震災後の日本 (Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake). It is a prime topic for Paper 3: Speaking (Task 2 Discussion on Research), where you will present research and discuss it with the examiner for \(6\text{ to }8\text{ minutes}\).

Don't worry if energy policy and Japanese environmental terminology feel overwhelming at first. We will break this subject down into three digestible sections: everyday energy saving, the national debate on energy supply, and traditional Japanese cooling wisdom.

1. Energy-Saving in Daily Life (日常の省エネ生活)

Following the March 2011 disaster and the subsequent nuclear shutdown, Japan faced an immediate, severe power deficit. The country quickly adapted through both government-led campaigns and individual household changes.

The "Setsuden" Movement (節電運動)

• What was it? Setsuden (節電) specifically means "electricity conservation." It became a national campaign immediately following the disaster.
• The \(15\%\) Mandate: In the summer of 2011, the Japanese government introduced a mandatory \(15\%\) cut in peak electricity usage for large-scale consumers in the Tōhoku and Kantō (Tokyo) regions.
• Everyday Impact: Train stations dimmed lighting, escalators were turned off during off-peak hours, convenience stores reduced neon signage, and vending machines turned off cooling systems during peak hours.

Cool Biz & Warm Biz (クールビズ・ウォームビズ)

• Cool Biz: Originally launched in 2005, this became essential post-2011. Offices set air-conditioning thermostats to \(28^\circ\text{C}\). Workers abandoned strict corporate suits for light, breathable shirts without ties or jackets.
• Warm Biz: In winter, office heating was lowered to \(20^\circ\text{C}\), encouraging employees to wear thermal layers, waistcoats, and lap blankets (ひざ掛け - hizakake).

Smart Technology & Modern Upgrades

• LED Lighting (LED照明): Rapid replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs in homes, offices, and streetlights to reduce wattage.
• Smart Meters (スマートメーター): Digital meters installed in homes allowed families to track their electricity consumption in real time, making power use "visible" (見える化 - mieruka).

Household Habits (家庭での取り組み)

• Standby Power (待機電力 - taiki denryoku): Unplugging appliances or using master-switched extension cords to prevent silent phantom electricity drains.
• Eco-Modes (エコモード): Using energy-efficient modes on home electronics such as rice cookers, dishwashers, and washing machines.
• Toilet & Refrigerator Adjustments: Lowering the temperature settings on electric heated toilet seats (washlet) and refrigerator dials depending on the season.

Section 1 Key Takeaway: Post-Fukushima energy saving was not just passive; it required a nationwide shift in mindset through Setsuden, strict thermostat policies (\(28^\circ\text{C}\) Cool Biz / \(20^\circ\text{C}\) Warm Biz), smart tech, and conscious daily habits.

2. The Energy-Supply Debate (エネルギー供給の議論)

The Fukushima accident fundamentally disrupted Japan's national energy blueprint, sparking an ongoing debate between safety, economic reality, and environmental goals.

The Nuclear Shutdown & The Fossil Fuel Shift

• Pre-March 2011: Nuclear energy was a core pillar of Japan's grid, providing roughly \(30\%\) of the nation's electricity from \(54\) reactors.
• Total Shutdown: By May 2012, all \(54\) reactors were taken offline for safety inspections, stress tests, and regulatory overhauls.
• Fossil Fuel Surge: To replace the lost nuclear capacity, Japan heavily ramped up imports of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and coal (石炭).
• Economic Consequence: The heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels caused Japan's trade balance to plummet into a massive deficit, reaching a record \(\yen 12.8\text{ trillion}\) in 2014.

The Reactor Restart Controversy (再稼働の是非)

• Current Reality: Out of \(33\) operable reactors, only about \(12\text{ to }15\) reactors have successfully cleared stringent safety hurdles and restarted.
• The 6th Strategic Energy Plan (第6次エネルギー基本計画): For the 2030 targets, the Japanese government aims for:
    1. Renewable Energy (再生可能エネルギー): \(36\text{–}38\%\) (a massive rise from \(\approx 20\%\) in 2021).
    2. Nuclear Power (原子力発電): \(20\text{–}22\%\).
    3. Fossil Fuels (火力発電): Substantial reduction from \(\approx 70\%\) down to \(\approx 40\%\).

Arguments For and Against Nuclear Power

• Pro-Nuclear Arguments (推進派の意見):
    • Energy Security: Japan has scarce domestic natural resources and cannot rely solely on imported gas and oil.
    • Decarbonisation: Nuclear generates base-load electricity without emitting \(CO_2\), crucial for achieving "Carbon Neutral by 2050" (2050年カーボンニュートラル).
    • Economic Stability: Stabilises high household and industrial electricity bills.
• Anti-Nuclear Arguments (反対派・脱原発派の意見):
    • Natural Disaster Risks: Japan is prone to major earthquakes and tsunamis; catastrophic accidents remain a real danger.
    • Nuclear Waste Disposal: There is still no permanent solution for high-level radioactive waste storage (最終処分場 - saishū shobunjō).
    • Loss of Public Trust: Scepticism toward the so-called "Nuclear Village" (原子力村 - the cozy relationship between regulators, electric utilities, and politicians).

Section 2 Key Takeaway: Japan's energy policy balances a difficult trilemma: energy security, economic cost (\(\yen 12.8\text{ trillion}\) trade deficit peak in 2014), and safety/environmental goals targeting \(36\text{–}38\%\) renewables and \(20\text{–}22\%\) nuclear by 2030.

3. Traditional Wisdom on Saving Energy (伝統的な知恵)

During the power shortages following 3.11, the Japanese public rediscovered ancient customs from the Edo period and pre-modern eras that naturally keep living environments cool without electricity.

Core Traditional Practices

• Uchimizu (打ち水): The custom of sprinkling leftover water (such as bathwater) onto gardens, balconies, and pavements. As the water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the ground and surrounding air (known as evaporative cooling / 気化熱 - kikanetsu), lowering the ambient temperature.
• Sudare (すだれ) & Yoshizu (よしず): Traditional bamboo (sudare) or reed (yoshizu) screens hung over windows. They block the harsh western afternoon sun (西日 - nishibi) while allowing cooling breezes to blow straight through.
• Yukata (浴衣): Unlined, breathable cotton kimonos worn during summer. The loose sleeves and breathable weave allow heat to escape naturally from the body.
• Sensu (扇子) & Uchiwa (うちわ): Traditional folding fans (sensu) and flat paddle fans (uchiwa) that generate personal cooling airflow without electric batteries.
• Kura (蔵): Traditional storehouses constructed with thick earthen walls, designed to insulate against extreme summer heat naturally without air conditioning.
• Mottainai (もったいない): The overarching Japanese cultural philosophy conveying regret over waste. This mindset serves as the psychological backbone for all post-disaster energy conservation.

Section 3 Key Takeaway: Traditional methods like Uchimizu, Sudare, and the spirit of Mottainai provided eco-friendly, zero-electricity solutions that complemented modern technical energy saving after the disaster.

4. Paper 3 Speaking Exam Strategy & Common Pitfalls

Key Distinction: 省エネ vs. 節電

• 省エネ (Sho-ene - Energy Saving): A broad, long-term efficiency concept (e.g., buying an eco-car, installing solar panels, insulating walls).
• 節電 (Setsuden - Power/Electricity Saving): The specific, urgent post-3.11 movement to slash electricity consumption to prevent immediate blackouts.

Common Examiner Pitfalls to Avoid

• Vague Generalities: Do not talk generally about "saving the planet." Always anchor your points in the Fukushima disaster (福島原発事故) context.
• Lack of Source Citation: Examiners look for research references. Introduce facts with phrases like:
「経済産業省のデータによると…」 (According to data from METI / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry...)
• Casual Register: Maintain formal, academic Japanese (です・ます with research terminology).

Essential Vocabulary for the Speaking Discussion

• 原子力発電所 / 原発 (げんしりょくはつでんしょ / げんぱつ): Nuclear power plant
• 再生可能エネルギー (さいせいかのうエネルギー): Renewable energy
• 火力発電 (かりょくはつでん): Thermal/fossil fuel power generation
• 脱原発 (だつげんぱつ): Denuclearisation / phase-out of nuclear power
• 再稼働 (さいかどう): Restart (of nuclear reactors)
• 待機電力 (たいきでんりょく): Standby power
• 温室効果ガス (おんしつこうかガス): Greenhouse gas
• 打ち水 (うちみず): Sprinkling water for evaporative cooling
• すだれ / よしず: Bamboo / reed sun blinds
• もったいない精神 (もったいないせいしん): The spirit of avoiding waste

Quick Review Summary

1. Daily Life: Setsuden introduced a \(15\%\) peak reduction target, Cool Biz set air-con to \(28^\circ\text{C}\), Warm Biz set heating to \(20^\circ\text{C}\), and LED/smart meters were adopted.
2. Energy Debate: Nuclear dropped from \(30\%\) (\(54\) reactors) to zero in May 2012. Fossil fuel imports created a record \(\yen 12.8\text{ trillion}\) trade deficit in 2014. The 2030 target aims for \(36\text{–}38\%\) renewables and \(20\text{–}22\%\) nuclear.
3. Traditional Wisdom: Uchimizu, Sudare, Yukata, and Mottainai bridged the gap between historical ingenuity and modern crisis response.

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What was the Setsuden movement and why was it introduced?

Setsuden (節電) was a national electricity conservation campaign launched after the 2011 Fukushima disaster to address severe power deficits, including a mandatory \(15\%\) cut for large-scale consumers.

What are the temperature guidelines for the Cool Biz and Warm Biz campaigns?

Cool Biz sets air-conditioning thermostats to \(28^\circ\text{C}\) in summer, while Warm Biz sets heating to \(20^\circ\text{C}\) in winter.

How did smart technology help households manage energy after 2011?

Smart meters allowed for the "visualization" (mieruka) of electricity consumption, while LED lighting significantly reduced the wattage required for illumination.

What are some common household habits used to reduce energy in Japan?

Habits include reducing standby power (taiki denryoku), using eco-modes on appliances, and adjusting the temperature settings of refrigerators and heated toilet seats.

What was the status of Japan's nuclear power supply immediately after May 2012?

By May 2012, all \(54\) of Japan's nuclear reactors were taken offline for safety inspections and regulatory overhauls, resulting in a total nuclear shutdown.

How did the nuclear shutdown affect Japan's economy and trade balance?

Japan had to ramp up imports of LNG and coal, leading to a record trade deficit of \(\yen 12.8\text{ trillion}\) in 2014.

What are the targets set by the 6th Strategic Energy Plan for 2030?

The plan targets \(36\text{–}38\%\) renewable energy, \(20\text{–}22\%\) nuclear power, and a reduction of fossil fuels to approximately \(40\%\).

What are the main arguments against restarting nuclear power plants in Japan?

The primary concerns are the risk of natural disasters (earthquakes/tsunamis), the lack of a permanent solution for nuclear waste disposal, and a loss of public trust.

What is Uchimizu and how does it work?

Uchimizu is the traditional practice of sprinkling water on the ground, which cools the air through evaporative cooling (kikanetsu).

What are Sudare and Yoshizu used for in traditional energy saving?

They are traditional bamboo or reed screens used to block harsh sunlight (nishibi) while allowing natural breezes to pass through windows.

What is the significance of the Mottainai philosophy in the context of energy?

Mottainai is a cultural philosophy expressing regret over waste, providing a psychological motivation for energy conservation.

What is the difference between Shō-ene and Setsuden in Japanese?

Shō-ene refers to long-term energy efficiency (like insulation), while Setsuden refers to the urgent, immediate reduction of electricity use (like turning off lights).

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