Japan’s FiTs are among the highest in the world. As seen in Germany, tariffs do not necessarily have to be high in order to allow the RE market to take off. One of the key aspects of investment in RE technologies is market stability in the form of concrete laws corroborating long-term investment security, which has to stem from determined political will. The World Future Council commends the fact that the Japanese government has attempted to bring about such drastic changes in such a short period of time, but this dynamism in the political sphere must be channelled towards a more sustainable direction and indicate a clear stance regarding the political will. More on the need for a strong political commitment to RE here: http://power-to-the-people.net/2012/06/japan-gives-green-light-for-feed-in-tariffs-as-well-as-nuclear-reactors

Japan stands to gain tremendously from its FiT legislation. But in order to reduce investment volatility – due, for example, to expectations of degression rate changes – the Japanese government must couple its FiT policy with a strong statement of commitment to renewable energy as a sustainable, long-term strategy. This means recognising that for environmental, economic and security reasons, nuclear power is not a viable alternative.