The reason why I want to participate in the LKYSPP Japan trip 2014 is because I am very interested in Japan's energy security policy after the Fukushima meltdown. The Fukushima meltdown created a dramatic influence on Japan. energy policy. After the accident, the government decided to halt the operation of Japan's 50 nuclear power plants. This is an important decision because nuclear generation has provided about a third of Japan's energy needs. Before Fukushima, the country had even formulated a national plan to increase the nuclear contribution to 50% by 2030 of Japan's total energy mix. However, the April 2011 earthquake, followed by the gigantic tsunami that hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant, changed the landscape of Japan's future energy scenario. The strong public opposition against nuclear power plants has pushed the government to change its policy in the energy sector. However, the problem remains. The decision to stop the operation of nuclear power plants has increased imports of hydrocarbons, particularly coal and natural gas. As a result, Japan is increasingly dependent on foreign countries to meet its energy needs. Japan is also lowering its greenhouse gas emissions limits to adapt to the new record for burning thermal coal, which is causing new environmental concern, particularly in relation to the issue of climate change. Alternative solutions: demand side and supply side After the Fukushima disaster, Japan faces a huge challenge in achieving sustainable energy security. The decision to stop the operation of nuclear power plants has created a very difficult situation for policy makers in the energy sector. However, this difficult challenge could eventually create a new opportunity for...... middle of paper ...... security will always be an important and vital decision for the future of every nation. In the case of Japan, this will be a very important lesson. The trip to Japan will provide a valuable and rare opportunity to study the formulation and implementation of energy security policy in times of crisis. The Fukushima crisis creates an absolutely very difficult situation for Japanese policy makers. While opposition to nuclear power plants is still strong among the public, the government must ensure energy flourishes in modern Japanese society. Therefore, every policy taken must be able to balance public opinion with actual energy demand. If Japan succeeds in resolving the delicate issue of its energy security, it will provide a very important lesson to other countries around the world in formulating the right policy in the energy sector...