Summary:
Japan’s power sector liberalization has taken the form of symbolic regulatory actions more than real transformation. While rules keep changing and multiply, market structure and policy priorities remain deeply aligned with legacy interests. International entrants face a shifting regulatory terrain, and true competition remains constrained by institutional design and historical inertia.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author, based on personal experience and professional observations in the energy industry. They do not represent the views of any organization with which the author has been affiliated.