In 1993, Japan was widely considered the world’s most advanced country. In two decades, a lot has changed. Japan has seen the incomes and overall prospects of its citizens shrink, while competing nations such as South Korea have advanced in leaps and bounds.

Even so, Japan’s technological capacity is exceptional. Over the next three years, Japan will produce the most advanced eco-town in the world. The site for the 1 000-home development is at Fugisawa, a coastal city 50km west of Tokyo. For the first time, smart grids will be used based on ‘entire solutions’ technology developed by Panasonic.