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Japan Striving For Energy Efficiency

Posted by Zonk on from the more-power,-cap'n dept.

diamond writes "The NYT has an article on how Japan is squeezing to get the most out of the costly fuel. 'The government recently introduced a national campaign, urging the Japanese to replace their older appliances and buy hybrid vehicles, all part of a patriotic effort to save energy and fight global warming.'"

8 of 540 comments (clear)

  1. New trend? by teh+moges · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hopefully this starts a global trend

    1. Re:New trend? by TorKlingberg · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nah, saving energy is unamerican.

  2. In addition... by The+Slaughter · · Score: 5, Funny

    In addition to other energy conservation techniques, they've asked Godzilla to take fewer showers. That guy, like, he uses a lot of water, man.

  3. and boost their economy by tota · · Score: 5, Insightful

    let's not forget that,
    Japan is a leading car manufacturer (especially when it comes to "green" vehicles) so this would also benefit their economy.

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  4. Huh? Where? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I live in Japan and I haven't seen any national campaign. Besides, it's not like anyone keeps anything for more than 2 years here anyway. People are already replacing their old stuff with new stuff too frequently. As much as Japan loves to say how energy efficient they are, I have to wonder what all this facination with new products ends up costing energy-wise.

    And it's not like the newer products have any reason to exist sometimes. I just got done fighting with my oven for an hour because my idea of an oven (a box that gets hot into which you put raw food and remove it when it's cooked) is very different from what the Toshiba marketing department came up with (a box with a million digital buttons on the front that ultimately control a big heating coil and a frickin' timer--but does so in the most circuitous and bizarre manner possible, so you know it's advanced).

  5. Re:Does Buying Hybrid Vehicles Really Help? by October_30th · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm sure the oil industry has already produced several reports showing that hybrid vehicles don't help in reducing pollution. Just like the tobacco industry used to publish reports showing that smoking and lung cancer are not related.

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  6. Re:Tax increases by TERdON · · Score: 5, Insightful
    He's not trying to take your SUV from you. All he suggests is charging you an arm and a leg for driving it, as it costs the rest of us our environment...

    In my eyes, you certainly aren't paying the environmental costs (ie the approximated costs of restoring the destruction you've caused) of burning the fuel you use (I've seen calculations in the 2-3 per liter range - would be around $15 per gallon, I think). Even you aren't from the US as I think, but a co-european of mine, you certainly aren't paying those gas prices.

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  7. Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt by Colin+Smith · · Score: 5, Informative

    What are you, marketing department for one of the big oil companies? Hybrids aren't perfect but you're talking out of your *arse*.

    The batteries used in hybrids last as long as the vehicle, 150,000 - 200,000 miles at least and are guaranteed for at least 8 years. The batteries are NiMH, not lead acid or Nicad.

    e.g.
    http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_ release.html?id=20040623

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