Japan to banish energy-hungry incandescent bulbs

Japan’s drive to stave-off a massive power shortfall this summer takes another route.

The government will urge major electronics retailers and home appliance makers to voluntarily halt production and sales of energy-hungry incandescent light bulbs to save power this summer. It will urge Japanese to use energy saving LEDs (light-emitting diode) light bulbs, instead.

LED bulbs use some 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last about 40 times longer. They are expensive, however, but are cheaper in the long run.

The government is expected to send its request to the Sho-ene Akari Forum (energy saving light forum), an industry group comprising major electronics retail stores and home appliance makers.

The Institute of Energy Economics estimates Japan could save about 9% of its power annually if all incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps currently used nationwide were replaced by LED bulbs.

Under Japan’s current basic energy plan, all lighting products for sale will be replaced by LED or organic electroluminescence (EL) by 2020.