Energy Act Enforcement Order Amendment Adds Electric Water …

On October 7, 2026, the Government promulgated the Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Order for Enforcement of the Act on the Rational Use of Energy and the Switch to Non-Fossil Energy (Cabinet Order No. 321). This amendment adds electric hot water heaters (non-household use) to the scope of energy-saving regulations and will come into effect on April 1, 2027. The promulgation text was published in the Official Gazette dated October 7, 2026.

Legal Basis and Framework of Promulgation

This Cabinet Order was enacted by the Cabinet based on the provisions of Article 149, Paragraph 1 and Article 150, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Rational Use of Energy and the Switch to Non-Fossil Energy (Act No. 49 of 1979). The subject of the amendment is the Order for Enforcement of the said Act (Cabinet Order No. 267 of 1979).
The promulgation text was signed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa. The Official Gazette is published by the National Printing Bureau.

Content of the Amended Articles

The Cabinet Order amends two clauses of the Enforcement Order as follows:

Article 18, Item 14: “(Storage-type water heaters)” is amended to “and electric hot water heaters (non-household use),” adding electric hot water heaters (non-household use) to storage-type water heaters.
Article 19, Table, Item 14: “and electric hot water heaters” is added below “gas hot water heaters.”
In Article 18, Item 26 is deleted, Item 27 becomes Item 26, Item 28 becomes Item 27, and Item 29 becomes Item 28.
In the table of Article 19, Item 26 is deleted, Item 27 becomes Item 26, Item 28 becomes Item 27, and Item 29 becomes Item 28.

Target Equipment and Effective Date

Target equipment: Electric hot water heaters, excluding those for household use.
Household electric hot water heaters are excluded from this addition.
Effective date: April 1, 2027.
Promulgation date: October 7, 2026.

Impact on Manufacturers and Sellers

Electric hot water heaters (non-household use) are incorporated into the scope of the Enforcement Order under the same equipment category as storage-type water heaters and gas hot water heaters. Businesses that manufacture or sell commercial or industrial electric hot water heaters will be required to take necessary measures by the effective date of April 1, 2027.
There is approximately half a year between promulgation and enforcement; the practical focus will be on the fact that the equipment classification and scope of application have been finalized at the level of the Enforcement Order.

Official Source

Name of Law/Regulation: Cabinet Order to Partially Amend the Order for Enforcement of the Act on the Rational Use of Energy and the Transition to Non-Fossil Energy
Number: Cabinet Order No. 321
Date of Promulgation: October 7, 2026 (Official Gazette of the same date)
Legal Basis: Article 149, Paragraph 1 and Article 150, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Rational Use of Energy and the Transition to Non-Fossil Energy (Act No. 49 of 1979)
Subject of Amendment: Order for Enforcement of the same Act (Cabinet Order No. 267 of 1979)
Signatories: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa
Effective Date: April 1, 2027