What about on the top of buildings? Over parking lots ect? Any time you shade a black top it really helps with heat soak

I think it's an optimistic sign that a solar farm is more economically viable than a golf course (even if it's an old one).

As well as the dwindling subsidies, mega solar projects have faced increasing opposition from communities concerned about deforestation, landslides and changes to landscapes. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also been vocal in her opposition to such developments.

...using all the land technically suitable for solar and wind could produce 14 times Japan’s annual electricity generation. The country has the space, but that isn’t translating into actual construction, he said.

Okay, both the headline and the article contents are wrong. There is, in fact, tons of space. The issue is not space, it's cost and permits. "Japan Has No Appetite for Solar Farms Apart from Old Golf Courses" would be more accurate.

Im fine with golf courses going away

Ngl I do want to see more creative solutions to solar farms that don't involve large arrays

We need this. Everyone I'm the world needs it... Turn golf into an indoor thing.

There's space. There is tons of agricultural-zoned land (and probably sanrin-zoned (literally montainforest; I don't know what it would be in English... forestry maybe) as well) that is completely neglected. Indeed several farms near me now have solar on some or all. I haven't personally seen any agrivoltaics with vertical panels yet which could be another option. My local has tons of farms for sale/rent that could be used since no one's buying.

Additionally, there are plenty of areas that are monoculture cedar forests planted for lumber. I don't buy "there's no room". I am, of course, glad to get rid of old eyesores and golf courses.

What about roads? ducks

Off shore wind and tidal makes more sense for Japan to me for sure, but solar everywhere we can. Rooftops, garages, bus stops, solar fencing, agrovoltaics, etc.