The Ecological Modernization Capacity of Japan and Germany: Comparing Nuclear Energy, Renewables, Automobility and Rare Earth Policy

Description

Cognitive-strategic capabilities of a country are decisive for overcoming the strong path dependence in climate-related policies and to achieve ecological and economic modernization. This is the result of a unique comparison approach focusing on four highly intertwined policy areas (Automobiles, Nuclear Energy, Renewables and Rare Earth) in Japan and Germany. Both countries have in principle sufficient economic, technological and institutional capacities for an ecological transformation, but they are lacking an integrated policy strategy to mobilize and organize the existing capacities in favor of structural changes. The focused four policy areas are analyzed in depth and compared by experts from political science. Front Matter ....Pages I-XII Introduction and Research Approach (Helmut Weidner, Lutz Mez, Lila Okamura)....Pages 1-12 Ecological Modernization – a Paradise of Feasibility but no General Solution (Martin Jänicke)....Pages 13-23 Ups and Downs in Environmental Policy: Japan and Germany in Comparison (Helmut Weidner)....Pages 25-40 Energy Policy in Japan (Lila Okamura)....Pages 41-51 Energiewende in Germany – the Dawn of a New Energy Era (Lutz Mez)....Pages 53-67 Nuclear Waste Management in Japan (Lila Okamura)....Pages 69-85 Rise and Fall of the Nuclear Dream in Germany (Lutz Mez)....Pages 87-101 Renewable Energy in Japan (Lila Okamura)....Pages 103-118 40 Years Promoting Renewable Energy in Germany (Lutz Mez)....Pages 119-136 The Future of the Japanese Automotive Industry (Martin Schulz)....Pages 137-154 Market and Technology Trends for the Automotive Future in Germany (Weert Canzler)....Pages 155-169 Rare Earth Strategies of Japan and EU/Germany (Lutz Mez)....Pages 171-184 Findings of the Research Project (Helmut Weidner, Lutz Mez, Lila Okamura)....Pages 185-205 Back Matter ....Pages 207-208