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Japanese eco house


Japan’s Sustainable Zero Energy Houses

Japan is well known for technological innovation in various industries. Naturally the tech industry therefore has been a major driving force of the event industry in Japan as well. Even while we are still dealing with the COVID-19 crisis,

JTB Meetings & Events by JTB Communication Design (JCD)

offers various online event solutions, and are prepared for the post-COVID return to hybrid and live events, where companies can promote and exchange ideas about the newest technology. In recent years most industries have started shifting their focus to sustainable development, and this includes technological innovations that are working towards zero energy goals. One example of these developments that is big in Japan is the construction of 'eco homes', featured in this article.

Combining the greatest technological innovations in the world with incredible natural beauty, Japan is moving towards a greener future, like with their modern zero energy eco homes. In the past, Japanese houses were built to last around 35 years before being torn down and rebuilt. But recently, Japan is moving towards sustainable eco homes and aims for all newly built houses to be zero energy by 2030. This sustainable development is packed full of innovation, meaning new houses in Japan are future-ready.


Traditional Japanese houses

Traditional ways of building Japanese houses are already very innovative. Sustainable techniques for building date back to the origins of Japanese houses, when traditional tatami mats were used as insulation. These mats are still used today as part of traditional Japanese interior design and are actually a much more efficient way of insulating houses than polystyrene. Tatami insulation involves using yakisugi, a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation, and tsguite, which is a traditional Japanese technique for fitting together pieces of wood. This complicated way of interlocking wood means that fewer nails and metal braces or fasteners are used in the building process, creating completely biodegradable houses.

Yakisugi is also becoming increasingly popular in modern homes across the world. The effect of burnt cedar gives wood constructions a sleek black finish and, as well as being aesthetically pleasing, the process has practical benefits in terms of durability. The burning of the wood means that it becomes both fire and insect resistant. The burnt layer of the wood also acts as another insulator and requires much higher temperatures to catch on fire, meaning the buildings are safer, more eco friendly, and last longer.


Solar panels Solar panels

are becoming increasingly popular around the world in sustainable development, and Japan is no different. With the ability to generate your own energy, solar panels are a great investment, especially in a country like Japan. Thanks to the climate, Japanese home owners can expect to get plenty of sun. For eco homes, installing solar panels is a must as the benefits far outweigh the cost.

The Daiwa House Group

already offers houses with solar panels and lithium ion batteries to store energy reserves. So even when the sun isn’t shining, homes will have stored energy to keep everything running. These new sustainable eco homes aim to reduce energy consumption by 70% compared to older houses in Japan.


Energy efficient eco homes

As well as producing their own energy, eco homes in Japan are more energy efficient thanks to a few simple sustainable home features. These include energy efficient LED lights, heat insulation, and clever air conditioning which reduces household energy use by 50%.

Sekisui House

are the leading home manufacturers for zero energy houses in Japan and energy efficiency is key to their design. Their Green First Zero initiative aims to make sure that energy efficiency doesn’t come at the cost of comfort, meaning that eco homes in Japan are becoming an evermore attractive prospect for home buyers. After reducing household energy use by half and using photovoltaic panels to generate the other 50% of the energy needed, these homes will be completely zero-energy. This is a prime example of sustainable development in Japan.


With the sustainable manufacturing industry thriving, there’s no better time to keep your eye on Japan. If you are in the manufacturing industry and interested in doing business in Japan, our event planners at JCD can get you on the right track. Contact us now to discuss current online event options, or hybrid/live solutions in Japan for the near future!

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Building a green home in Japan

Homes in Japan are usually cheaply built to last about 35 years — before being demolished and replaced. It's a concept that burdens the environment through high-energy consumption due to poor insulation as well as large amounts of wasted, often ecologically concerning, building materials. Yet, recently voices for a more sustainable concept of building have been growing louder. In April 2014, the Japanese Cabinet approved an energy policy that stipulates that all newly built houses have to be zero-energy by 2030, meaning they consume less energy than they produce on a net annual basis by creating and conserving renewable energy. But Japan is still a long way from your average home builder or architect understanding how to increase the sustainability of your home. 

We compiled a list of builders that specialise in eco-homes and resources to turn to for making your home environmentally sound. While the initial cost of an eco-home is often 10-20% higher than that of a run-of-the-mill detached house, it will save you energy bills for years to come, plus government subsidies are available for some renewable energy technologies.

Energy-producing and energy-saving systems

Triple pane, gas-filled windows are a simple yet effective way to increase the energy efficiency of your home. They are the standard in Central Europe by now and widely available in Japan. 

Even the most passive house will still need some energy input. Solar panels on the roof are a well-established option and providers in Japan are plentiful. A set of solar panels can often make a home energy positive, i.e. it will produce more energy than it consumes. 

A lesser-known system to Westerners are Ene-Farms, which stands for energy farms: hydrogen-based generators about the size of a standard refrigerator. They generate electricity by way of natural gas from which the Ene-Farm extracts hydrogen and mixes it with oxygen sourced from the air. The generated electricity can be utilised for all standard household appliances as regular AC current and the heat generated as a by-product is used to heat water up to 60°C. On average, one farm can supply 40-60% of the electricity for an average household. The units are expensive to purchase and install, upwards of US $15,000, but the government offers a subsidy to cover almost 20% of the initial cost.

Traditional techniques

The idea of sustainable housing usually evokes images of futuristic energy management systems and solar panels. Yet there are also long-established Japanese building techniques that focus on sustainability by utilising natural materials that won’t harm the environment or preserving energy. Read our introduction to Japan’s traditional ways of building a home that doesn’t cost the earth through tatami insulation, using yakisugi (Japanese wood preservation), Shikkui lime plastering and tsugite (wood joinery).

Passive houses

A passive house is a home built following standards that promote energy efficiency and comfort while retaining affordability. The goal is to use 1/10 of the energy consumed by a conventional home and to create a comfortable and even climate inside the building — a luxury that most standard Japanese homes lack. Mainly driven by the Passive House Institute in Germany, these environmentally friendly and modern homes are increasingly popular all across the globe.

Kevin Meyerson, a long-term resident of Japan owns a certified passive house in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture that was long ranked as the most energy-efficient house in Japan before more modern versions popped up across the islands. 

If you are interested in building a passive house, turn to Passive House Japan, an organisation that has trained and certified hundreds of architects in Japan to follow the stringent standards of the German flagship. The website is in Japanese only, but they can put you in touch with architects that can plan your sustainable dream home.

Off-the-rack green homes

MUJI house

The popular Japanese home brand MUJI has been offering simple and sustainable homes in Japan since 2004. Currently, three models are offered: the Wood House, the Window House, and the Vertical House.

The Wood House is based on the one-room house by architect Kazuhiko Namba, who created the concept it in 1995 as a rudimentary box with high space and utility efficiency. As such, it offers one big open space that is editable by the owners according to their needs.

The Window House is a continuation of the Wood House that was developed by star architect Kengo Kuma.

The Vertical House is the most recent addition to fill the need for buildings that can optimise the lack of space in central Tokyo and fit into the narrowest plots of land, also known as eel’s nests. The models cover floor areas ranging from 90 to 130 sq m. The houses are equipped with double insulation consisting of indoor insulation and an exterior shield, that also incorporates triple pane windows.

Based on the passive house concept, MUJI’s specialists evaluate the plot of land before designing and building the house to determine the building’s angle, number, size and location of windows, as well as where to plant trees, in order to optimise sunlight for both lighting and temperature and the natural breeze.

Daiwa House Group

This Japanese home builder offers two series of single-family houses that take sustainability into account: 1) smart houses called SMAxECO, and 2) xevo, houses that come with an external heat insulating wall.

SMAxECO Houses are equipped with solar panels and lithium ion batteries, which store the generated electricity. The house also comes with Daiwa’s own Home Energy Management System (HEMS), which allows residents to control their energy consumption and air conditioning use through an app. By enabling homeowners to monitor and visualize their energy consumption and potential monetary savings, the company believes that technology help reduce consumption by about 70% compared to conventional Japanese homes.

Xevo houses offer superior insulation, can be equipped with Daiwa’s own solar panel system and follow passive house principles.

Sekisui House

Sekisui House is one of Japan’s largest home builders and its Green First ZERO houses aim for energy self-sufficiency without sacrificing comfort, even to the point of zero external energy consumption. This is achieved by reducing household energy use by about 50%
through heat insulation, energy-efficient LED lights, floor heating and air conditioning, and a HEMS — and by generating the remaining 50% of electricity through solar panels and an Ene-Farm. The energy is stored in a storage cell and an EV outlet for electric cars completes the set-up.

From aiming for zero energy consumption to using natural building materials, planning your sustainable home in Japan can take many directions and looking into resources from both the past and the future will help you to create the perfect home for you and the globe.

By Mareike Dornhege

Similar to this: 

Passive houses: What they are and why they're gaining popularity

How to keep your home cool in the Japanese summer — and the electricity bill down

Japanese traditions for sustainable building

 

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22/10/2019

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The Rugby World Cup continues in Japan. The top 20 teams in the world are competing for the title. A total of 48 matches will be played.

According to Stanislav Druzhinin, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Russian Rugby Federation: “Japan hosts one of the best World Cups in history, because it has everything it needs: good infrastructure, fantastic stadiums and passionate fans.”
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