Today, the U.S. and Japan have a strong alliance based on common values, integrated economies, and shared security concerns. However, the amount of exchange and learning that is possible between the two countries remains vast. Further growth and collaboration is possible not only in regards to culture and mindset, but also in the fields of green technology and energy efficiency. This is an area where the U.S. can look to Japan. The success of Toyota’s Prius is only one example of the technological prowess, marketing skill, and influence Japan has in the area of green technology. Japan should assertively and clearly communicate that it wants to work with the U.S. in order to create the foundations of the new economic boom and lead the world in the second green revolution.

Japan is one of the most energy efficient countries in the world. A dearth of natural resources and land has forced Japan to constrain wasteful practices and take conservation measures that the U.S., as a whole, has not embraced. As the U.S. prepares for a green push of its own with the Obama administration’s stimulus bill, Japan could serve as consultant to America as it embarks on energy efficiency programs and looks to make houses and government buildings less wasteful. This is the “low-hanging fruit” that is often talked about and was mentioned in the previous post. Japan has already picked most of this fruit and should share it with the U.S. In the summers, Japan has “cool biz” days where the air conditioning in office buildings is not to be set below a certain level and short sleeve shirts without ties are considered appropriate business attire. In a typical Japanese home, there is no central air or heating. Instead, most houses or apartments have a separate “cooler” (a dual electric AC and heating unit) in each room. This allows for less energy consumption as only  the room you are in needs to be cooled. If you’re sleeping, for example, there’s no reason to spend energy and money cooling the rest of the house that has no one in it. Just click on your room AC. While taking these more extreme measures may not be possible or desirable for Americans, the U.S. could get many other energy conservation ideas and technologies by looking at Japan.

As far as waste in concerned, recycling bins are found along side each garbage can in train stations and convenience  stores throughout the country. Room for landfills in Japan is practically non-existent. Garbage must be burnt or recycled. There is, therefore, the mentality and convenience that makes recycling common place. There are also strict regulations when it comes to garbage. Trash must be sorted meticulously, not only into paper, cans, and plastic for recycling but into many different piles. Burnable trash must be separated from non-burnable, batteries put in their own pile, and organic waste that can be composted separated out yet again. In thinking about cradle-to-cradle design, Japan already has a large part of the logistics and infrastructure in place to implement such a system.

These are only a few of the ways Japan is ahead of the U.S. in the green field, especially in regards to consumer behavior and country-wide environmental policy. The U.S., for its part, has the government research and funding to grow ideas and test new technologies. This includes facilities such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. The U.S. has some of the brightest students and the best universities in the world. It has a robust entrepreneurial spirit along with the legal system and financial market, even in this tough lending environment, to back start-ups and take chances on the next big breakthrough. The dynamic American economy and creative destruction inherent in its system means that the U.S. is flexible, vibrant, and can change paths or renew itself relatively quickly. It can catch up and even lead in energy and green technology if it chooses.

Japan can learn much from the U.S. and the U.S. must be willing to share with Japan. A cooperative approach, utilizing the best aspects of both countries that are focused on tackling energy problems and creating new technologies, makes for a transformative alliance; an alliance that melds economics, technology, policies, and vision to create the leadership the world needs on energy issues.

Given the economic, political, and security areas that are of shared importance to the U.S. and Japan, it only makes sense to think about creating a framework for cooperation on green technology.

- Justin Manger