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Paper short abstract

Japan’s pragmatic energy transition model challenges Western renewable-only paradigms. In Indonesia, it advances hybrid solutions that include fossil fuels. This paper examines both the benefits and issues of this approach, drawing on extensive fieldwork conducted in 2024–2025.

Paper long abstract

The trajectory of energy transition in emerging economies is no longer determined exclusively by Western models. Japan, once a central player in Asia’s industrial and technological rise, has emerged as a distinctive actor shaping alternative pathways that challenge the prevailing norm of relying solely on renewable energy sources. This paper investigates the Japanese approach to energy transition and its influence on Indonesia, one of Southeast Asia’s leading economies. By examining Japan’s strategies—ranging from technological cooperation to policy frameworks—the study highlights how these initiatives have influenced Indonesia’s energy diversification while simultaneously raising new challenges.

The research is grounded in empirical fieldwork conducted in Spring 2024 and 2025, encompassing interviews with key stakeholders at national and local levels in Jakarta, Java, and Sumatra. Findings reveal that Japan’s emphasis on pragmatic energy solutions, including transitional technologies and infrastructure investment, has accelerated Indonesia’s progress toward balancing economic growth with sustainability. However, this approach has also generated tensions, particularly regarding uneven local adoption and questions of long-term environmental impact.

By situating Japan’s role within the broader discourse on global energy transition, the paper underscores the importance of recognising diverse models beyond Western paradigms. The Indonesian case illustrates both the opportunities and complexities of adopting hybrid energy strategies in emerging economies. Ultimately, the study contributes to understanding how non-Western actors are reshaping the global energy landscape and offers insights into the contested nature of sustainable development in Southeast Asia.