Originally published on April 17, 2018.
This chapter examines how, under Japan’s feed-in tariff system for renewable energy, profits funded by the burden placed on Japanese citizens flowed even to Korean-affiliated companies, and sharply questions the responsibility of the Democratic Party government and SoftBank.
It argues that the benefits of infrastructure businesses such as electricity should in principle be returned domestically, and insists that what was done in that period must be thoroughly examined, recorded, and remembered for future generations.

2019-04-16
At this difficult time, it was the Democratic Party government and SoftBank that gave business opportunities to South Korean companies.
What, exactly, was it that they did?
For the sake of future generations, it is necessary to examine it thoroughly, leave a record, and keep it in memory.

This is a chapter I published on 2018-04-17 under the title:
“It is necessary, for the sake of future generations, to examine it thoroughly, leave a record, and keep it in memory.”
What follows is a continuation of the previous chapter.
A South Korean natural-energy development company is considering the construction of a mega-solar facility in the southern part of Wakayama Prefecture.
On the 11th, related persons inspected fallow rice fields and other sites in the mountainous area of Tanabe City.
They have shown eagerness to realize the project in the Kinan region, saying, “If conditions are met, we would like to settle the matter within this fiscal year.”
A mega-solar facility is a large-scale solar power generation facility exceeding 1 megawatt (1,000 kilowatts).
Starting in July, the Japanese government launched a system obligating electric power companies to purchase electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
(From Kii Minpō, October 12, Heisei 24 [2012])
For the Korea Electric Power Corporation, amid stagnant domestic electricity sales, this would become its first solar power plant constructed overseas, and all of the electricity generated was to be sold to Hokkaido Electric Power.
Kang Seok-han, construction director of the Chitose Solar Power Plant, said, “This project will become a touchstone as we advance solar power generation projects overseas, and we hope to incorporate and make use of Japan’s advanced technology.”
(From NHK News, July 4, Heisei 24 [2012])
The key point of this system is that electric power companies are obligated to purchase the electricity generated by power producers, and the cost is added onto electricity charges.
In other words, through the electric power companies, the public is also made to pay for the electricity generated by those producers.
It is an extremely advantageous system for power producers.
In this way, before they even realize it, the public ends up paying charges to Korean-affiliated companies that entered the solar power generation business.
The purchase price has been revised, but the system continues even now.
For fiscal 2012, the purchase price for 10KW and above was 40 yen plus tax, with a purchase period of 20 years.
For fiscal 2013, 36 yen plus tax, 20 years.
For fiscal 2014, 32 yen plus tax, 20 years.
For fiscal 2015, 29 yen plus tax, 20 years.
For fiscal 2016, 29 yen plus tax, 20 years.
For under 10KW, please purchase this book and confirm.
(From the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website, “Nattoku! Renewable Energy”)
In businesses related to infrastructure such as electricity, not only from the standpoint of public interest but also from the standpoint of national assets, the benefits of such business ought to be returned domestically, and in principle participation in such businesses ought to be limited to domestic companies.
At this difficult time, it was the Democratic Party government and SoftBank that gave business opportunities to South Korean companies.
What, exactly, was it that they did?
For the sake of future generations, it is necessary to examine it thoroughly, leave a record, and keep it in memory.