However, the technical official from the Japanese government in charge of development of renewable energy who explained the government's stance on the issue said it was his personal view that the time has come for Japan to alter its policy of developing wind technologies to that of encouraging widespread wind power use.
Other talks were given about worldwide standardisation of wind turbines and technical and commercial directions of the leading countries in the filed.
Most of the few wind turbine owners in Japan are power utilities and the majority of them chose the Mitsubishi 275 kW model and occasionally the MHI 300 kW. Representatives from four of the ten power utilities in Japan and an official from Tachikawa town, which owns three 100 kW Kenetech turbines (Windpower Monthly, October 1994), held an open discussion. Topics covered included operation, problem areas, research and cost of operation. Cost was the subject which drew most attention.
Due to lack of programme time and limited knowledge of overseas wind turbines, the discussions failed to reach much depth. But it appeared that thin experience and the short history of commercial wind turbine installation seemed to be the reason for the high costs in Japan. After more studies, the subject will be further discussed at the next Japanese Wind Energy Association conference.
The 1995 JWEC is expected to attract 200 participants and will need to find a larger venue. So far, JWEC has not introduced the possibility of exhibition stands to companies and organisations, but such improvements are planned for 1995.