To drill or not to drill: determinants of geothermal energy project siting in Japan

Geothermal energy is an important resource in the fight against climate change, but local siting issues often stand way. We analyze socioeconomic determinants of location all geothermal drilling explorations Japan from 1975 to 2014. Statistical analysis based on original dataset shows that (1) municipalities with more hot springs inns than other are less likely have a exploration, and (2) become exploration as their farming sector employment declines over time. complement statistical qualitative case study politics one Japanese town, showing how personal relationships level can widen or narrow structural ‘green versus green’ divide between interests.