In order to realize a decarbonized society by 2050 and provide a stable supply of energy, the government has included measures such as maximizing the use of nuclear power generation and introducing carbon pricing, in which companies bear the cost according to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted. Here are the basic policies for the future.

It includes contents such as allowing the long-term operation of nuclear power plants to exceed the practical upper limit of 60 years and working on the development and construction of next-generation nuclear reactors that have not been envisaged so far. Also, the direction of the nuclear power policy that the government has indicated will change significantly.

On the 22nd, the government held the "GX = Green Transformation Executive Committee" at the Prime Minister's Office to decide on strategies for decarbonization, with the attendance of Prime Minister Kishida, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura, and Keidanren Chairman Tokura.



At the meeting, the basic policy of the government to achieve both a stable supply of energy and the realization of a decarbonized society in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine was approved.



Under the new basic policy, safety is the top priority when restarting nuclear power plants. Regarding the stipulated operating period of nuclear power plants, we have set out a policy to maximize the use of nuclear power plants, such as by excluding periods that have been suspended due to inspections, etc.



As for carbon pricing, from FY2026 we will start full-scale operation of emissions trading, which will allow companies to trade the amount they have reduced in the market. We are planning to introduce a system that asks companies to pay a certain amount as a "levy".



Furthermore, we will newly establish the GX Economic Transition Promotion Organization, which will be responsible for the operation of the trading market and the collection of levies.



In order to support private sector investment toward the realization of a decarbonized society, the government plans to issue a new government bond, the GX Economic Transition Bond, of about 20 trillion yen over the next 10 years. will be reimbursed for it.



The government will make a cabinet decision on this policy in the future, and will aim to submit a related bill at the ordinary session of the Diet next year.

The direction of nuclear power policy has changed significantly.

The basic policy decided by the government includes contents such as permitting long-term operation of nuclear power plants exceeding the upper limit of 60 years, and working on the development and construction of next-generation nuclear reactors that have not been envisioned so far. Therefore, the direction of nuclear power policy, which the government has indicated since the nuclear accident 11 years ago, will change dramatically.



In this basic policy, in addition to promoting the restart of existing nuclear power plants with the highest priority on safety, nuclear power plants have been suspended due to the review of the Nuclear Regulation Authority from the maximum operating period of 60 years specified by law. It is said that the period will be excluded and an additional extension for that amount will be allowed so that the vehicle can be operated practically beyond 60 years.



In addition, until the summer of this year after the nuclear accident, the government repeatedly explained that it did not anticipate the construction, expansion, or rebuilding of nuclear power plants. Regarding the development and construction of nuclear reactors, he said, "First, we will move forward with the reconstruction of decommissioned nuclear power plants."



It is said that this is "to use nuclear energy sustainably in the future".



On the other hand, the "Strategic Energy Plan", which was decided by the government after the nuclear accident, showed the direction to reduce the dependence on nuclear power as much as possible in the future.



Regarding this, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said, ``There is no change in the target of making the ratio of nuclear power in the power supply mix in 2030 about 20 to 22%, and compared to about 30% before the nuclear accident, we will reduce the dependence. It explains that the Basic Energy Plan and this basic policy are not inconsistent.