Abstract
Offshore wind power is a key factor of Japan’s decarbonization strategy; however, it is not only
an energy infrastructure but also an occasion to develop projects linked to local community issues.
This paper examines the development of offshore wind power and community coexistence through a
case study of Hokkaido, where the author has been engaged as a researcher. It focuses on the legally
mandated councils under the Act on the Utilization of Sea Areas for Renewable Energy and the pre-consultation processes that precede these councils. The paper argues that researchers contribute not
only by providing expertise but also by facilitating participatory processes that link energy projects
with shared regional visions for the future.
