A CROSS-CULTURAL-ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD ENERGY USE BEHAVIOR IN JAPAN AND NORWAY

In this paper we compare and contrast the results of ethnographic inve stigations of energy use behaviour in Fukuoka, Japan and Oslo, Norway, These studies show significant differences in end use patterns for sp ace heating, lighting and hot water use, We discuss how these patterns are related to cultural and economic factors, Our findings show that while energy intensive space heating and lighting habits have become a n integral part of the presentation of the Norwegian home, Japanese sp ace heat and light habits are more disciplined and less culturally sig nificant, In Japan, the bathing routine is extremely important to the Japanese lifestyle and at the same time very energy intensive, Other e nergy intensive patterns are identified which do not have the same cul tural significance, such as lax temperature setback in Norway and dish washing practices in Japan, The policy implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.