Japan to Support Energy Saving, Storage-Battery Installations

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to set aside about 93 billion yen ($779 million) to help factories and small-sized businesses install devices to improve energy efficiency. The ministry is asking for the budget to set up devices such as light-emitting diode lamps and boilers with better efficiency, according to a summary of requests included as part of a supplementary budget for the year ending March 31. It will be considered by cabinet today. METI also plans to spend about 81 billion yen in response to grid issues the country is facing in order to accommodate more renewable energy.