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There is growing interest in energy sufficiency (ES); however, it remains conceptually debated and contested. This study presents a novel approach to measuring ES using unique microdata on the energy consumption of Japanese households. This approach determines lower and upper thresholds regarding domestic energy consumption for each household type and then identifies whether people really meet an adequate level of domestic energy services, with their diverse energy needs considered. The result illustrates that most people in Japan live in ES, despite about one-tenth being in energy poverty (EP) and one-twentieth in energy extravagance (EE). In addition, this study empirically clarifies the characteristics of people in ES, as well as those in EP and EE. People in ES and EE generally belong to higher income groups, live in larger houses, and are less committed to energy-saving behaviours; the opposite applies to people in EP. As a policy implication, this study suggests more progressive energy tariffs and carbon pricing, as well as improvement in access to renewable energy for the EP population, to engender an inclusive low-carbon energy transition and allow everyone to achieve ES. • First evaluation of people's 'energy sufficiency' (ES) using Japanese microdata. • Identified households in energy poverty, energy sufficiency and energy extravagance. • One tenth of people are in energy poverty and one twentieth in energy extravagance. • The prevalence of energy sufficiency is much related to income and housing size. • More progressive energy tariffs are suggested to allow everyone to achieve ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We estimated the job creation of Japan's energy transition towards deep mitigation. • We extended PE IAMs into an IO framework and investigated multiple scenarios. • Positive total job creation in 2030 but workforce shortage in 2050 may occur. • More employment would be induced in non-electricity and manufacture sectors. • Over 30% of induced employment would be overseas. Energy transition towards carbon neutrality by 2050 in Japan will involve renewable energy development and a shift from fossil fuel energy. Investigating the domestic employment level in response to such energy transition and their implications of different decarbonization scenarios is urgently needed. We introduced the results from partial equilibrium (PE) integrated assessment models (IAMs), which provided a more comprehensive representation of power generation mix and capacity (based on a bottom-up modeling approach), to the input–output (IO) framework, which served as an efficient tool for mapping inter-sectoral transactions in the macroeconomy (based on a top-down modeling approach). By this approach, the uncertainties among different Japan national decarbonization scenarios can be investigated. We estimated the job creation in manufacturing sectors, construction sectors, electricity supply sectors, and all other sectors induced by the investment in the introduction of renewable energy capacity introduction and all power generation activities. The results show that: i) positive numbers in total job creation may occur in 2030 (e.g., under the default scenario reaching 80% emission reduction by 2050), as the job creation in the manufacture and construction of renewable related activities will exceed the job losses in mining, construction of thermal power, and thermal power generation activities; ii) however, such job creation will dramatically increase in 2050, leading to possible workforce shortages within Japan; iii) over 30% of the employment in non-electricity and manufacture sectors may be induced overseas in 2050. Compared with high renewable potential pathways, the long-term labor supply issues could be eased under low energy service demand pathways in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]