Japan not immune to public backlash against data centers, experts say
Last week's U.S. midterm congressional elections have highlighted just how strong opposition to data center construction has become.
Recent U.S. midterm elections have underscored the growing public opposition to data center construction, and Japan may soon face a similar backlash, experts warn. The public's skepticism towards energy-intensive data centers, which can drive up electricity prices, was evident in the results of the recent U.S. elections. A recent poll conducted by Heatmap Pro and the Associated Press revealed that more than 70% of respondents were opposed to the construction of new data centers in their neighborhoods.
This sentiment has contributed to the Democratic Party's success, often referred to as the "blue tsunami." Tetsuharu Oba, a professor of urban planning at Kyoto University who specializes in data center issues, suggests that Japan should address the emerging tensions between residents and data center developers swiftly.
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