2024 Volume 103 Issue 8 Pages 63-66
This study longitudinally tracked the changes in energy-saving awareness and behavior among residents of the Tokyo metropolitan area and three surrounding prefectures since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The survey conducted in 2022, the first in six years, showed a notable increase in energy-saving consciousness. In particular, a behavior change was observed in efforts to save electricity and gas when compared to the years 2014 and 2016. As a catalyst, in addition to the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is suggested that the rise in utility costs and the electricity and gas crunch due to the situation in Ukraine have influenced people’s energy-saving awareness. These results provide valuable insights for policies promoting energy saving, social dissemination activities, and changes in consumer behavior. Additionally, there has been a shift in people’s behavior regarding the use of air conditioners, with an increase in prolonged use and setting below 26 °C being observed. This is a behavior change directly linked to the reduction of energy consumption and can be considered as concrete evidence for future energy-saving behavior considerations. The findings of this study can be utilized to understand the increased concern in energy use during economic and social changes.
