There are some things that have become taboo in the discourse of Japanese people because of their specific historical experiences. Be it the idea of becoming a nuclear weapon power, or maximizing the potential of nuclear power for energy generation.
However, the post-pandemic unpredictable world order has created such drastic situations, that Japan is considering what could have been impossible only a couple of years ago.
More than ten years after the Fukushima accident, Japan is preparing a major return to nuclear power, with the goal of restarting a large number of idled reactors and developing new plants utilizing next-generation technologies.
In order to avoid further strains on the nation’s power grids, which were already under a lot of demand this summer, and to reduce the country’s reliance on energy imports, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday that the government would investigate the development and construction of new reactors.
At a cabinet meeting on “green transformation,” Kishida stated that Japan wants to restart seven additional nuclear reactors starting in the summer of 2019. Out of the 33 operational units, that would bring the total number of reactors restarted since the Fukushima disaster in March 2011 to 17.
“Nuclear power and renewables are essential to proceed with a green transformation,” Kishida said. “Russia’s invasion changed the global energy situation.”
The seven additional reactors are the Nos. 6 and 7 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holding, the No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa plant of Tohoku Electric Power, the Nos. 1 and 2 at the Takahama plant of Kansai Electric Power, the No. 2 reactor at the Shimane plant of Chugoku Electric Power, and the No. 2 reactor at the Tokai No. 2 plant of Japan Atomic Power
Onagawa, Takahama, and Shimane reactors among them have already received local authority to reopen. Once the work on enhancing safety precautions is finished, they will be allowed to restart operations. The restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa and Tokai reactors is planned, and the government intends to take the lead in securing local support.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the nation is also thinking about extending the maximum service life of its reactors beyond 60 years to help it achieve its aim of lowering carbon emissions while ensuring a steady supply of electricity.
After Russia’s conflict in Ukraine upended the fossil fuel market and caused power prices to soar, nations all over the world are reconsidering atomic energy, and in Japan, public opinion has been shifting in favor of restarting idled facilities.
As nations look for instruments to combat climate change, efforts to enhance smaller and less expensive nuclear technology, notably small modular reactors (SMRs), have also been accelerating. According to the International Energy Agency, countries may need to double their nuclear capacity in order to reach net-zero emissions by the middle of the century.
After finding it difficult to manage the effects of harsh weather and global fuel scarcity on the supply of electricity, the government of Japan has been pondering a fresh development of nuclear power. This year, the nation’s capital has seen two significant power outages, including the greatest heat wave to hit the end of June in more than a century.
Author is a journalist specializing in international relations with extensive experience working with online media. He has a keen interest in all things geopolitics and thence enjoys writing on issues pertaining to Foreign Policy, International Relations, Strategic and Security Affairs of Indo-Pacific Region.