Abstract
The partial liberalization started in March, 2000 is the realistic selection between pursuit of the increase in efficiency by introduction of a market mechanism, and achievement of a public-benefit-subject unsolvable by the market mechanism, and cannot be a final solution. Electricity deregulation must be based on thefollowing points:
(1) environmental restrictions based on global-warming prevention,
(2) consistency with long-term energy policy including atomic power and renewable energy,
(3) achievement of universal service.
Japan does not have an organic act which covers the whole energy problems, and the fundamentalguideline should be indicated as an “energy policy act.” The range of liberalization will be expanded in 2003, but it is the extent of the range that is the problem. It will be necessary to limit the range of liberalization in order to maintain nuclear power generation. A financial mechanism like “electricity feed”, a “green certificate” and/orcarbon tax should be needed to expand renewable energy. Thus, the measure against warming in Japan should be considered within the viewpoint of structural reform, such as electricity deregulation and tax reform.
