Kanagawa Prefecture's Original "My Panel Concept"

──Governor Kuroiwa, you announced a goal six months ago during the gubernatorial election to "install solar panels for 2 million households in four years." However, this was later retracted. What was the reason for this?



Let me be clear from the outset: it was not "retracted." The figure of "2 million households in four years" was stated at a time when awareness of the crisis following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was extremely high, and it was a statement made without sufficient time for thorough verification. My true intention was to send a strong message to the citizens by setting an ambitious target. Later, as I continued to learn about the prefecture's energy strategy, I came to understand that there are possibilities not only in solar power but also in various other renewable energy sources such as wind, biomass, and small hydropower. Furthermore, I realized that efficient energy supply and demand can be achieved not only through "energy creation" but also through "energy saving" and "energy storage." Therefore, I determined that a comprehensive energy strategy, not limited to installing solar panels for 2 million households, was the correct approach, and I revised the goal to cover 20% of the prefecture's energy consumption with renewable energy by 2020.

I am proud that six months ago, by proposing the figure of "2 million households in four years"—enough to cover nearly half of Kanagawa's households—we were able to energize the citizens' awareness of energy and serve as a "catalyst" for the urgent development of an energy system that does not excessively rely on nuclear power.



──How do you plan to develop the prefecture's energy policy going forward? Please tell us about specific policies.



While considering the construction of mega-solar power plants, we also aim to realize the concept of "renting rooftops." Unlike single-family homes, it is difficult for residents of apartment buildings to install solar panels. Therefore, we are considering the realization of Kanagawa Prefecture's unique "My Panel Concept," where residents of apartment buildings purchase solar panels installed on the rooftops of prefectural facilities or factories.



Additionally, starting in December, we will launch the "Kanagawa Solar Bank" system. When citizens wish to install panels, they can consult the "Kanagawa Solar Bank Center," which will allow them to utilize plans offered by businesses with whom the prefecture has agreements. This plan involves publicly soliciting participating businesses and receiving proposals that include guarantees for construction and after-sales services such as maintenance. We expect that the collaboration between the prefecture and businesses will promote the installation of solar panels.
Furthermore, since there are limits to subsidies for solar panel installation, we are also considering a plan to raise funds from citizens to install and operate solar power generation as a "community fund."

Changing Japan's Energy Policy from the Local Level

──The "Council for Natural Energy" was established with Masayoshi Son, Chairman of SoftBank Group, as its secretary-general. Governor Kuroiwa serves as vice-chairman. What activities is the council currently undertaking?

The "Council for Natural Energy" was established in July amidst a growing sentiment that over-reliance on nuclear power is dangerous, with the aim of promoting the widespread adoption of natural energy. Initially, a project was planned to gather ten governors and have Mr. Son invest 7.9 billion yen per municipality, with each municipality contributing 100 million yen and providing land while receiving tax exemptions, to construct mega-solar power plants in each prefecture. To our surprise, 35 prefectures expressed their support. Since Mr. Son cannot possibly fund all of them, the prefectures are currently cooperating, exchanging information, and proceeding with preparations for the construction of mega-solar power plants by negotiating individually with solar power companies such as SoftBank.

──Governor Kuroiwa is strongly appealing to the citizens with "An Energy Revolution from Kanagawa!" What kind of energy policies can only local governments undertake?



The role of a governor is to wave the flag. For the past six months since taking office, I have been waving the flag of "An Energy Revolution from Kanagawa!" The citizens have realized that their ordinary lives were built upon the significant risks faced by the people of Fukushima Prefecture, 300 kilometers away. They have changed their perspectives and are gathering under the banner I wave.

Coming from the broadcasting industry, I can keenly sense such "everyday feelings of the people." In the past, television meant TV stations produced programs, broadcast them, and households received them with antennas. However, with the advent of the internet society, anyone can upload videos filmed with their own cameras online. Individuals are like small TV stations; this is a revolution in the media world. Such a revolution is now happening in the energy society. Previously, electricity was generated and distributed by power companies, and households consumed it. Now, it is possible to generate and transmit electricity within one's own home using solar panels. Local governments are the closest entities to the individuals who are becoming the main actors in this new energy society. It is local governments, closer to people's lives than the national government, that can share and spread the idea of "An Energy Revolution from Kanagawa!" swiftly and surely. I believe we can change the structure of Japan's energy policy from the local level.







Yuji Kuroiwa

Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1954. Graduated from Waseda University, School of Political Science and Economics in 1980, and joined Fuji Television the same year. After serving as anchor for "FNN Super Time" and "Hodo 2001," he was stationed in Washington. His self-produced, reported, and edited emergency medical campaign, "Surgery on Emergency Medical Care," led to the establishment of the emergency medical technician system and received the 16th Hoso Bunka Foundation Award and the Heisei 2nd Year Award of the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan. After leaving Fuji TV in 2009, he served as a visiting professor at the Graduate School of International University of Health and Welfare before becoming governor in April 2011. He is the author of numerous books, including "The Power to Extract Truth from Information" (Seishisha).