Japan uses overhead power lines instead of underground systems for several practical, economic, and geographical reasons. One of the biggest factors is earthquake risk. Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, and underground systems are more difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to inspect and repair after earthquakes. When an underground cable is damaged, locating and accessing the fault can take much longer compared to simply repairing or replacing an overhead line.
Another key reason is cost. Installing underground power lines can be up to 5–10 times more expensive than overhead ones, especially in dense urban areas where construction must avoid existing infrastructure like sewer systems, water lines, and subway tunnels. Japan’s narrow roads and highly populated cities make underground installation even more difficult and costly. Overhead lines are quicker to install and easier to maintain, which is especially important in a country that frequently deals with typhoons, heavy rain, and natural disasters.
Additionally, Japan’s energy infrastructure was built rapidly after World War II, when the focus was on restoring services as quickly and cheaply as possible. Overhead lines were the fastest solution at the time, and that approach continued into modern development.
Despite the visual clutter, the Japanese public generally accepts overhead lines because they are seen as reliable and practical. However, in tourist areas and newly developed zones, underground cabling is slowly increasing to improve aesthetics and reduce storm vulnerability.
Summary:
Japan uses overhead power lines mainly because it's cheaper, easier to repair after earthquakes, and faster to install in crowded urban areas. Since Japan is prone to natural disasters like quakes and typhoons, having easily accessible infrastructure makes maintenance safer and faster. Though underground lines look nicer, they’re much costlier and harder to manage in Japan’s dense cities.
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