Suppose I widen my view as you suggest, which seems reasonable-- I think you're right that the price of electricity isn't the only concern. Then I think that J

Suppose I widen my view as you suggest, which seems reasonable-- I think you're right that the price of electricity isn't the only concern. Then I think that Japan, currently the world's #2 solar market (Germany is #1), should be investing in thin film solar R&D for the reasons you listed. In thin film, Japan (in the form of Sharp's second generation amorphous silicon panels) is getting its ass kicked by First Solar's CdTe panels. I think that investing in, for example, CIGS or CdTe technology would be a better investment.