One of the nice things with hydrogen is that it needs massive investment and infrastructure to make it successful, just like the oil economy, so it's better suited to the revenue hopes of Japan's major players.

Around 160GW/hrs could potentially be saved by turning vending machines off just during August.

What will be the real economic impact of the quake and the nuclear crisis in particular on the country?

With fuel still at record-high prices, Japan's innovative and forward thinking agencies are continually looking for new power sources. Although Japan has a distinct lack of natural resources, one gas it does have - Methane Hydrate - could be the answer to a new alternative energy source. But how viable is it really looking to move forward with it's extraction and usage?

Japan has long been touted as the bringer of alternative energy sources. Focusing on several companies that have invested in new energy products, including toilet manufacturer ToTo, Terrie explains why stocks in this industry are set to rocket in the near-to-mid term Read Now

Environmentally friendly office buildings in Tokyo.
By Dylan Robertson

Five years ago, a global facilities manager for a major corporation called me to discuss the relocation of their Tokyo office. After describing the criteria for their desired property, he added, "The building must be environmentally friendly in every way possible. All things green help our corporate image - even the office buildings we occupy." This was the first of many such requests.