Apr., 1919

Mr. Masuji YAMAUCHI successfully drilled a geothermal well in Oita prefecture, hitting steam at a depth of 80 m.

Nov., 1925

Dr. Heizi TACHIKAWA, after Yamauchi, achieved geothermal power genaration as first time in Japan (capacity: 1.12kW)

The first geothermal power generation in Japan, 1925

Jan., 1947

Geological Survey of Japan began geothermal resource exploration for the selection of fields to be exploited.

1949  

Kyushu Electric Power Company began geothermal survey in Oita and study on power generation.

Nov., 1956

Japan Metals & Chemicals Company (JMC) began geothermal exploration and development at Matsukawa, Iwate Prefecture.

June, 1960

Japan Geothermal Energy Association was settled.

Oct., 1966

JMC began operation of Matsukawa power plant as the first geothermal power plant in Japan with a capacity of 9500 kW (steam dominated).

Aug., 1967

Kyushu Electric Power Company began operation of Odake power plant, the first Japanese geothermal power plant with a water-steam separator with a capacity of 11,000 kW.

Oct., 1973

Laws on natural parks and natural environmental protection were partly modified. The 1st oil shock occurred.

July, 1974

MITI initiated the Sunshine Project (for promotion of new energy).

Apr., 1976

Japan Geothermal Resource Development and Promotion Center (current New Energy Foundation) was settled.

Sep., 1977

Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, MITI, began Basic Survey on Geothermal Development.

Dec., 1978

Geothermal Research Society of Japan (GRSJ) was settled. The 2nd oil shock occurred.

May, 1980

Law on promotion of development and installation of non-oil energy resources came into effect.

Sep., 1980

New Energy Foundation was settled. MITI settled aid for drilling of geothermal exploration wells.

Oct., 1980

New Energy (and Industrial Technology) Development Organization was settled. NEDO initiated Geothermal Development Promotion Survey.

Oct., 1985

MITI settled aid for development of geothermal power generation.

Mar., 1996

Total capacity of Japanese geothermal power plants reached to 500MW.

May, 2000

World Geothermal Congress was held in Oita and Iwate, Japan.

Apr., 2001

Geo-Heat Promotion Association of Japan was settled.

Dec., 2001

Technical Division of Underground Thermal Utilization, GRSJ was settled.

Jan., 2004

GRSJ joined to IGA as an affiliated member.