Green Japan: Environmental Technologies, Innovation Policy, and the Pursuit of Green Growth

by Carin Holroyd

As climate change continues to threaten both our economic and ecological well-being, countries around the world are trying to implement green strategies that will simultaneously curb emissions and spur economic growth. Green Japan critically examines the Japanese effort to combine economic growth with commitments to environmental sustainability. Carin Holroyd explores green growth strategies in various industries including conservation, energy, urban development, and international trade. Holroyd’s comprehensive analysis of how innovation strategies connect with environmental priorities combines a detailed study of government policies with insightful assessments of consumer and market responses. The unevenness of Japan’s success clearly demonstrates the exceptional technological innovation and creative public policy initiatives that are needed in order to successfully reverse the effects of climate change. Green Japan offers a nuanced and hopeful account of one nation’s attempts at linking environmental sustainability and continued prosperity.

280 pages, Hardcover

Published January 18, 2018

Reviews

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers, University of Toronto Press, for providing an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

This was an incredibly complex book to read which limited my enjoyment of it to an extent. It was really good at showing the important of Japan and their role in green energy and the green movement in general. I found it really interesting.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

By far too complex for the "normal reader", still it gave me interesting information about one of my favorite country.

Di gran lunga troppo complesso per il "lettore medio" mi ha comunque fornito molte interessanti informazioni sul mio paese straniero preferito.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caught between the rapid industrialization policies pursued after the end of WWII, the peculiarity of resources and the pressures towards creating sustainable green policies, Japan functions as a well oiled engine with many different speeds. A well documented inquiry into the 'environmental technologies, innovation policies and the pursuit of green growth', this book covers a large area of domains, from new technologies to urban planning and development.
'Japan views climate change in the context of a nation that lives with remarkable levels of incertainty and vulnerability - including access to energy and exposure to environmental shifts, but starting with a long and tragic history of natural disasters that long ago affirmed the supremacy of the environment over human beings'. The green policies in this country are a complex web made of different directions, including national policies, private sector initiatives, academic researches and societal commitment. The policy instruments do receive political endorsement through various regulations adopted by institutions, financial support from the business sector and the academic background provided by the scholars in the field. 'The Japanese experience demonstrates that the appropriate application of subsidies, governmental investment, and local strategies can produce substantial environmental savings'. However the circle is not complete and accidents as the case of the Fukushima nuclear plant keep outlining the need of a dramatic upgrade and as for now, the pursuit of prosperity still prevails over the environmental concerns.
The book offers an interesting evaluation of various policies and decisions and although it has a relatively limited focus on the political aspects of the environmental programs - including the actual commitment from various parties to green policies -, it dedicates a generous space to the content of the policies and its day by day implementation.
A recommended lecture to those interested in comparative studies of various green policies, as well as in the Japan society and its approach to environmental challenges nowadays.

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Holly Claxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review may contain mild spoilers for the book. Please read with caution.

I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Many times, I find a book with a topic I think I’ll be interested in. Something will pull me towards that book, whether it’s subject association or current events in my life drawing my attention to it. Usually, these books vary by length or topic. Japan has always been one of my favorite places to read about. I’ve wanted to travel to Japan since I was young, and in last decade or so I’ve found myself drawn to books about any topic relating to Japan. That is why I decided to pick up Green Japan.

Ultimately, though, I found I was not as invested in this book as I had thought I’d be. Reading the book was an absolute struggle, to a point where I didn’t actually even finish. I spent a lot of times rereading the same passages over and over again simply because I would lose my place. Every page felt like a wall of text I had to climb. Because I have so much going on in my personal life and for work, finishing the book was not something I prioritized.

This doesn’t mean the book is bad, of course. I feel like this book is an amazing resource for anyone looking for information on Japan and their efforts at creating a green environment! And it’s something I might like to try reading in the future.