Submitted by
Submitted by: Anung, Anawim Malaya
AB Political Science
October 10 2018
MEGA TRENDS
OBJECTIVE
EXTENSIVELY EXPLAIN THE CONTENT OF THE DIFFERENT MEGA TRENDS THAT ARE SHAPING THE WORLD
DISCUSS THE SITUATION OF YOUR SELECTED COUNTRY AND
GIVE AN ANALYSIS ON HOW WILL MACROECONOMIC AND GEOSTRATEGIC FORCES AFFECTS ITS FUTURE THROUGH THE EXPLORATION OF ITS CURRENT TRENDS
Select one mega trend presented by the PcW
Find a country in which you think is mostly affected by your selected mega trend
Present sufficient data for analysis
CONTENT OF THE PAPER
Summary of the mega trends presented by pwc.
Extensively discuss your selected mega trend
Give a discussion about your selected country relating it to your selected mega trend
You may include graphs or charts with proper description
Provide your extensive analysis
Japan
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”
Japan is a country with very scarce resources and yet they are one of the pioneers of both economic and technological development. With a rush towards development, Japan created its energy policy which is also called as the “3 E’s”. These are economic growth, energy security and environmental protection.
Energy security refers to a country’s available natural resources for energy in relation to its strategy to ensure security of energy supply for its growing population. Connected to this is environmental protection which is the practice of protecting the natural environment, including natural energy. This is also the response to the ever looming problem of global warming.
Because the price of oil was cheap during the middle of 1980’s to early 2000’s the urgency of researching other sources of energy was not present. But in this day and age, when oil prices are high and with the rapid decline of our ozone layers and the continued emission of greenhouse gases, the challenge of harmonizing these three E’s has become formidable. it is no longer a matter of national budget expenditure but rather a matter of creating a healthy and clean energy solution for the generation of today and tomorrow.
In the year 2000, Japan’s use of oil accounted for 50% of its total energy supply, thus a major target for the government back then was to decrease the consumption of oil through researching and investing in other potential, less harmful ways like hydro, geothermal and renewable energy. They delved into the realm of natural gas and nuclear power. By early 2011, nuclear energy had become a national strategic priority in Japan. In 2018, the Japanese government revised its energy plan to update the 2030 target for nuclear energy to 20%-22% of power generation by restarting reactors, compared to coal 25%, renewables 23% and oil 3%. As of May 2018, there are 42 operable reactors in Japan. Of these, 8 reactors in 5 power plants are operating. This would reduce Japan’s carbon dioxide emissions by 26% compared to 2013, and increase self-sufficiency to about 24% by 2030, compared to 8% in 2016.
The global threat of climate change also affects Japan mostly because of its vulnerability to tsunamis and earthquakes. The Japan Median Tectonic Line (MTL) is Japan’s longest fault system. The MTL is and active fault zone and is considered hazardous. Japan is mainly surrounded by seas and oceans which compels the country not to be complacent, especially residing under a major fault line, With climate change and global warming, there will be a change in sea levels, drinkable water scarcity, and less farmable lands; also there will be an increase in the occurrence of natural disasters. Japan’s already scare resources will be dispersed in the investment of sustainable infrastructure to prevent further loss and devastation to the country.
It is the assigned defense organization that is usually called upon to facilitate and organize such drives to combat unwarranted loss of life and property every time a natural disaster is about to happen or is happening. These organizations, though effective in the case of Japan, will face daunting challenges to secure the entire country particularly when such natural disasters or calamities happen more often. Thus it is only natural to call upon other allies and neighbouring countries for help especially in times of natural calamities. In the case of Japan’s great tsunami of 2011, 43 countries came to their aid. These are
Afghanistan
Albania
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Croatia
East Timor
Estonia
France
Georgia
Germany
Hungary
India
Israel
Italy
Kuwait
Laos
Macedonian
Malaysia
Maldives
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Korea
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
It cannot be presumed, however, that all these countries, if needed will always be there to aid Japan. Being a first world country Japan has an adequate military and defense force in place but this does not mean that they will consistently be efficient. With due credit to Japan, they are always on top of repair and recovery every after a major disaster but this is because it happens once every few years. If things are to take a turn for the worse, eventually the military and defense organization in place will be strained and would need sufficient help in order to effectively help the nation in times of distress.
Japan has been supporting developing countries in their collective battle against climate change, in the Pacific, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and Africa.
Pacific
Samoa: The Project for Construction of the Pacific Climate Change Center
Kiribati, Cook island, Samoa, Solomon, Tuvalu, Tonga, Nauru, Niue, Vanuatu, PNG, Palau, Fiji, Marshal, Micronesia: The Project for Strengthening Multi-hazard Risk Assessment and Early Warning Systems in Pacific Island Countries
Fiji: Project for Reinforcing Meteorological Training Function of FMS
Palau: Project for Sustainable Management of Coral Reef and Island Ecosystems: Responding to the Threat of Climate Change
PNG: Capacity Development Project for Operationalization of PNG Forest Resource Information Management System for Addressing climate Change
Asia
Thailand: Project for Capacity Development on Mitigation/Adaptation for Climate Change in the Southeast Asia Region
Viet Nam: Support Program to Respond to Climate Change (VI)
Thailand: Bangkok Master Plan on Climate Change 2013-2023
Philippine: Project for Enhancing Capacity on Weather Observation, Forecasting and Warning
Bangladesh: Project for Improvement of Meteorological Rader System in Dhaka and Rangpur (Detailed Design)
Pakistan: Energy Efficiency Management Program (EEMP) for Industrial Sector in Pakistan
Latin America and Caribbean
Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Surinam, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica, Belize: The Japan-Caribbean
Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) (with UNDP)
Costa Rica: Las Pailas II Geothermal Project
Antigua and Barbuda: The Project for Improvement of Fishery Equipment and Machinery in Antigua and Barbuda
Haiti: The Project for Supporting Disaster Resilience (with UNDP)
Middle East
Iran: Project on Implementation of pilot project to introduce ESCO for government’s buildings
Jordan: Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Young Leaders) for Jordan/ Renewable Energy Course
Afghanistan: Project for Enhancing Agriculture Production through Irrigation System Improvement and Strengthening Institutional Capacity (with FAO)
Afghanistan: Project for Capacity Enhancement on Hydro-Meteorological Information Management in Ministry of Energy and Water
Turkey: Training Program on Energy Efficiency and Management in Industry
Africa
Mauritius: The Project for Improvement of the Meteorological Radar System (phase 2) Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Chad, Cote d’lvoire,
Senegal: Training Program for Young Leaders for African Countries (French)/Renewable Energy Course
Mozambique: Project for the Capacity Enhancement of Meteorological Observation, Weather Forecasting and Warning
As mentioned above, Japan’s status as one of the pioneers of change and advancement is leading to a significant demand of energy, water, food and other resources. With investments and support to developing countries that are with them in the fight against global warming, the need for collective effort is recognized, as global warming and climate change do not have borders or boundaries. This current global threat affects everyone and with that comes the responsibility to address such issue collectively. In the international political arena, the stronger you are the bigger the responsibility imposed upon you. Since Japan is considered one of the stronger countries today, it bears with it the responsibility to tackle such mega trends and occurrences worldwide.
In particular, our own country looks up to Japan for technical assistance with regard to energy development. To cite an example, our own Department of Energy (DOE) and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) signed the Technical Cooperation Letter of Intent (LOI) last June 2018. This will involve the identification of problems and corrective measures based on Japanese expertise and experience. It will also consist of the proposal for institutional arrangements to push for the installation of facilities with dependable performance; and the conduct of training for the Philippine government and independent power producers to enhance operations and maintenance of existing thermal power plants.
With this global threat of climate change and scarce resources, we in developing countries cannot but feel inadequate. Japan’s openness to providing technical support to its less developed neighboring countries like the Philippines is then much appreciated. This is where we must, as a nation and as one planet unite and fight under the same cause. Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. For us and this earth that we live in to have a fighting chance against the looming danger that climate change is starting to bring us, it is not only the nation’s problem, it is not only our leaders’ problem, but it is a problem that we must all address and act upon both effectively and efficiently. We should not wait for the next global catastrophe to happen.
REFERENCES
Toichi, T (2005)., “Japan’s Energy Situation: Present and Future”
Wikipedia, “Nuclear Power in Japan”
Okada, A., On the Quaternary faulting along the Median Tectonic Line, in Median Tectonic Line (in Japanese with English abstract), edited by R. Sugiyama, pp. 49–86, Tokai Univ. Press, Tokyo, 1973.
“Philippines partners with Japan to resolve power sector’s issues”
POWER PHILIPPINES NEWS,
Recovery from Great East Japan Earthquake – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan”. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Jack, Theo Leggett, Kamal Ahmed, Simon. “Why Switching to Fully Electric Cars Will Take Time,” September 19, 2017, sec. Business.
“Driverless Cars on UK Roads by 2021 – Really? – BBC News.”
“Nothing Found for Development Desa En News Population World Population Prospects 2017 *.”
“Union of Concerned Scientists.” Union of Concerned Scientists.
