Japan should reduce energy consumption to be less vulnerable to global crises

It may seem odd to take the opportunity on the anniversary of the end of World War II to insist that Japan should reduce energy consumption. However, it is indispensable for peace and safety in Japan.

It is impossible to completely eradicate the threats posed by climate change, uncertainties in the demand and supply of energy and potential food crises. However, Japan can at least make itself less vulnerable to these threats by transforming itself into a society that relies less on energy. By doing so, Japan can also extend assistance to developing countries faced with such global problems.

The more energy efficient a military is, the stronger it is. The climate change strategy announced by the British Defense Ministry in December last year is based on this idea. To promptly respond to the threat posed by climate change, the British ministry believes it indispensable to increase the energy efficiency of its weapons. Any military that consumes a huge amount of oil lacks the ability to continue to fight in a war. U.S. forces are even considering developing and introducing hybrid tanks.

Japanese forces constantly suffered a shortage of resources and energy throughout World War II. They desperately attempted to extract petroleum from oil shales in Manchuria and to get fuel for aircraft from pine tree roots, but to no avail.

Mainichi Daily News