The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has this week unveiled its own ‘Smart Cities’ strategy to promote the use of intelligent technology to enhance the quality of life in urban environments. Accompanying the announcement, a study of opportunities for the UK in the global smart city market makes the following observations about Japan:
• the Japanese home energy management market will reach $2.3bn by 2016
• Japan is the world’s fourth largest investor in smart energy grids
• an official of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) has joined the European Commission DG CONNECT for six months to enhance cooperation around Intelligent Transport Systems as part of EU-Japan cooperation in this field
• Japan has also adopted a ‘healthcare without walls’ approach to assisted living technology
The study also notes:
Japan is moving rapidly following the shock to the energy market caused by the Fukushima disaster. The energy sector is now undertaking a massive transformation. Japan is moving away from nuclear power; all but two of the country’s nuclear reactors are offline, and has set a target of 30% energy from renewables by 2030. Recognising the urgent need to deploy smart grid technology, Japan is seeking to build one of the world’s most advanced next generation smart grids and has formed international partnership to speed the deployment of smart meters. The Japanese Government has been promoting smart city initiatives in four cities: Yokohama, Toyota City, Keihanna Science City and Kitakyushu. Each of these cities is piloting innovative energy management technology and experimenting with different technical solutions that can support sustainable lifestyles.
As previously mentioned, an ‘International Conference on Future of Cities’ will be held in Kitakyushu on 20 October.
