Japan

Read Full Story Japanese pulp and paper giant, Oji Holdings, a massive consumer of renewable energy, has announced plans to sell clean power to bolster its flagging bottom line and take advantage of generous government subsidies. 

Japan's new government says it will review pans to phase out nuclear power, as part of its new economic policy. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the newly-elected Liberal Democratic-led cabinet took office on Wednesday and has called for large-scale public spending to reinvigorate Japan’s recession-prone economy. 

Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for the first pilot plant for ethanol production from cassava pulp.

Spurred on by favorable government policies and incentives, several Asia-Pacific countries outside of China – such as Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Malaysia – have begun to make large-scale investments in solar power projects, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan. The prospects are also attracting the attention of manufacturers in the US and Europe, which are scouting for newer markets in which to conduct business, following the oversupply of solar panels at home.

Nissan has confirmed it will substantially expand its currently limited range of hybrid cars, as the manufacturer combats slow sales of its all-electric Leaf hatchback.