The government intends to formulate specific directions for the restart of existing nuclear power plants and the development and construction of next-generation nuclear reactors by the end of the year in order to realize a decarbonized society.
In response to this, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held a council to discuss energy policy on the 28th, and experts pointed out that we should actively discuss the safety of nuclear power plants.
Last month, in response to tight power supply and demand and energy security, the government aimed to restart seven additional nuclear power plants from next summer, and plans to build next-generation nuclear reactors that are safer and more economical than now. It has revealed that it will consider development and construction.
On the 28th, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held the "Basic Policy Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy" to discuss issues for realizing these goals.
In this, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura said, "Movement to overcome the energy crisis through decarbonization is accelerating. While promoting decarbonization, what kind of measures are necessary to secure a stable supply of energy? I want to discuss it," he said.
Experts and representatives from the business world made statements at the council, pointing out that "the safety of nuclear power plants should be discussed more openly than ever before" and "I want the future vision for the utilization of nuclear power to be more clearly defined." And so on.
Going forward, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will summarize the opinions of the council on how nuclear power plants should be used to realize a decarbonized society, and will report to the government meeting.