Japan: the government wants to accelerate the revival of nuclear power

The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, wants a revival of nuclear power.

AP - Toru Hanai

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

Japan will speed up the restart of its nuclear reactors, which have been shut down since the Fukushima accident in 2011, and will reflect on the development of new generation reactors.

This is what Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on August 24.

Soaring oil and gas prices since the war in Ukraine are forcing Japan to make a major shift in its energy policy.

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With our correspondent in Tokyo

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To improve public acceptance of the revival of its reactors, Japan is integrating them into its “ 

 ” plan, intended to enable it to achieve its decarbonization objectives.

The government wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% compared to 2013 by 2030.

Long opposed to nuclear power since

eleven years ago, a majority of Japanese are now in favor of it.

A warning of power shortages during the sweltering summer heat, calls from authorities to

have convinced them that restarting nuclear power plants has become a necessity.

Electricity prices up sharply

Especially since, since the war in Ukraine, electricity prices have risen sharply.

Oil and gas imports have become prohibitive for the Japanese economy.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is pressing for a more massive revival of its reactors, extending their lifespan from 40 to 60 years.

Only seven are in service in August, three others are shut down for maintenance.

The nuclear safety authority has validated the restart of 17 reactors.

Japanese electricians have spent a fortune to meet new nuclear safety standards, which have become the most stringent in the world.

Japan also wants to develop next-generation reactors.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group is cooperating with an American start-up, Terra Power, which has unveiled a new fast neutron reactor or breeder reactor.

It can ensure the recycling of plutonium from spent fuel.

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, supports this project.

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• Japan

• Nuclear

• Fumio Kishida

• Energies