Abstract
Resistance to renewable energy projects among residents is increasingly linked to concerns about distributive justice. This study examines how perceptions of fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens shape residents' preferences regarding hypothetical onshore wind power projects in Japan. Using a hypothetical choice experiment based on an online survey of 2,016 residents across 14 prefectures in wind-suitable regions of Japan, we varied four attributes: (i) project proponent (non-local company, local government, local stakeholder), (ii) community contribution activities, (iii) scale of CO₂ emissions reduction, and (iv) household decarbonization levy. Mixed logit estimation revealed stronger preferences for projects led by local governments or local stakeholders, and for projects implementing community contribution activities, compared to projects led by external companies. Latent class analysis revealed heterogeneity: the positive and moderately negative groups valued local governance and benefit distribution mechanisms, while the strongly negative segment derived minimal utility from these attributes.