Abe visited on Saturday the hot-spa resort of Beppu in Oita Prefecture, western Japan. He was shown a geothermal system developed by a group of local small businesses. The system uses steam and hot water to turn a turbine and generate electricity.
An operator told Abe that small geothermal projects are subject to an energy-industry regulation requiring the regular presence of an engineer. The operator said this raises costs and hinders the spread of geothermal initiatives.
Abe said he would ask his industry minister to ease the regulation.
He later told reporters local industry is essential to his growth strategy. Ministers are to draw up details of the strategy next month.
