Japan to increase reliance on nuclear energy in post-Fukushima shift

The Japanese government has announced a significant policy shift, planning to increase its reliance on nuclear energy to meet the growing electricity demands of high-energy industries such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. This policy adjustment reflects a major change in Japan's energy strategy, aiming to bolster its energy security.

Japan's cabinet approved an energy plan on Tuesday that calls for "maximum use of nuclear power" and removes previous language about "reducing reliance on nuclear power." The energy plan, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, states that nuclear power should account for 20% of Japan's grid supply by 2040, more than double the 8.5% share in 2023. This target underscores the ambition to revitalize the nuclear sector.

This policy shift comes against the backdrop of the Fukushima nuclear disaster that occurred 14 years ago, a catastrophe that left Japan with painful memories. In March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan, triggering a tsunami that killed over 18,000 people, destroyed towns, and flooded the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster prompted a nationwide shutdown of nuclear reactors.

Currently, Japan operates 14 commercial nuclear reactors, compared to 54 before the Fukushima accident. At that time, 30% of Japan's energy came from nuclear power. This new energy plan still requires parliamentary approval, and discussions are expected to take place in the coming months. The government hopes to gain broad support for the policy.

Daishiro Yamagiwa, a lawmaker who previously served on a government advisory panel on energy policy, stated that Japan relies on imports for 90% of its fuel, so nuclear power needs to be considered as part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions and achieve energy self-sufficiency. He pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East have made it difficult to procure fossil fuels. "Japan is a country with scarce energy resources, so we must use all available resources in a balanced manner." Yamagiwa added that the demands of AI data processing centers and semiconductor factories are increasing the energy burden.

However, experts point out that increasing reliance on nuclear energy is both risky and costly. Kenichi Oshima, a professor at Ryukoku University's Faculty of Policy Science, stated that Japan will need to import uranium, which is both expensive and will make Japan dependent on other countries. Professor Oshima also said that a major concern is that increasing the number of nuclear power plants will also increase the risk of potential catastrophic accidents. He cited the earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day 2024, where plans to build a nuclear power plant were abandoned twenty years ago due to resident opposition. "If there had been a nuclear power plant there at that time, it is clear that it would have caused a major accident."

In Japan, any mention of nuclear energy inevitably evokes painful memories of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown. Yuko Maruyama, a resident of Tokyo, said, "We all had a terrible experience during the Fukushima earthquake. How can I support (the nuclear energy plan)? I want the government to rely on other energy sources. As a mother, I think about my children, about their safety. I can't help but think about what will happen in the future." Public sentiment remains a significant hurdle for the government.

The Fukushima nuclear meltdown is considered the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. In 2023, Japan began discharging treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, sparking new controversy. The move triggered protests from Japan's neighbors, including China, who expressed concerns about safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, said the wastewater is safe and its impact on humans and the environment is "negligible."

In response to the new energy plan announced this week, Greenpeace stated that promoting nuclear energy while the effects of the Fukushima nuclear accident are still ongoing is "outrageous." The organization said, "There is no justification for continuing to rely on nuclear energy, which remains toxic for tens of thousands of years, produces radioactive waste that requires long-term management, and carries risks such as earthquakes and terrorism." The environmental group plans to challenge the government's decision.

To achieve the government's goals, experts say that 33 reactors must be restarted, but the current pace of safety inspections and opposition from residents in some areas will make this goal difficult to achieve. Many nuclear power plants are already old and need to be retrofitted with new technology to operate safely. Yamagiwa said, "The most difficult problem is that each nuclear power plant is located in a different location and requires its own safety protocols and infrastructure. We must carefully inspect each one. This still takes time." In recent months, regulators have approved several old reactors to continue operating. In October 2024, Japan's oldest reactor, the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant, received permission to continue operating, becoming the first reactor in Japan to be approved to operate for more than 50 years.