Japan to Set Up Environmental Safeguards for Mega Solar Projects

The Japanese government will strengthen safeguards to protect ecosystems and landscapes from the adverse impacts of large-scale solar farms, officials said, Kyodo News reported.

Numerous concerns have been raised about large solar facilities in Japan.

The government is expected to revise the Electricity Business Act as early as 2026, requiring a third-party organization to verify the safety of building such facilities.

The move follows backlash against mega solar projects near the Kushiro Wetlands in Hokkaido and other areas, amid concerns that large-scale developments could damage wildlife habitats.

Officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Environment Ministry submitted a proposal to a panel of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The government will also decide by next summer whether to revise the Endangered Species Conservation Act, officials said.

Concerns raised about large solar facilities include their impact on wildlife and endangered species, risks associated with forestland development and embankments, and their effects on landscapes.