15 Years On: Japan to Push Forward with N-Reactor Restarts

Tokyo, March 11 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is poised to plow ahead with work to restart nuclear reactors, aided by the political dominance of her Liberal Democratic Party and the reduced presence of opposition parties supporting zero nuclear power. Fifteen years after the triple meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan, which was triggered by a huge earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, an official of the current administration described nuclear power as a “low-cost and stable source of electricity.” Takaichi has repeatedly emphasized the need for nuclear energy. “Nuclear power helps bring down electricity bills and ensures a stable power supply, as well as protects our livelihoods and industries,” she said in a stump speech during the Lower House election campaign. “That’s a world I’d like to build.” Last October, the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party signed a coalition deal, agreeing to work on bringing back nuclear reactors online to cope with the rising electricity demand. They also backed moves to develop new technologies such as next-generation innovative reactors and nuclear fusion reactors. The pursuit of reactor restarts is driven in part by an expected further rise in electricity demand due to expansions of data centers, crucial in artificial intelligence development. In addition, the production of advanced semiconductors is expected to be launched at full scale soon. “AI and semiconductor production require large amounts of electricity,” a source close to the prime minister said. “Low-cost and stable power supply is key to whether the (AI and chip) projects end in success or failure.” Another favorable development for those seeking to increase the use of nuclear energy is the surge in crude oil prices amid the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. A senior government official said, “We have to think about long-term power supplies that do not rely on fossil fuels.” A government official said that the Takaichi administration has been involved in public-private cooperation to address concerns among local governments hosting nuclear power plants. As a result, the No. 6 reactor at TEPCO’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, was restarted in January this year. The No. 3 reactor at Hokkaido Electric Power Co.’s Tomari plant in northern Japan is expected to follow suit in 2027. The Takaichi administration has shown little interest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which gained attention shortly after the 2011 nuclear disaster. Citing environmental damage and disaster risks, it is strengthening regulations on large-scale solar power plants. The Feb. 8 election of the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of parliament, drastically changed the political landscape. The LDP emerged as the dominant force with a two-thirds majority in the chamber, while opposition forces that had pushed for an end to nuclear power dependency faltered. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, which had long advocated zero nuclear power, changed its stance to allow reactor restarts when it launched the Centrist Reform Alliance with Komeito just before the closely-watched election. But the Centrist Reform Alliance failed to gain voter support and suffered a heavy defeat in the election. The Japanese Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi, which both call on Japan to scrap nuclear power plants, only secured five Lower House seats in total. On the other hand, the election boosted momentum for the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito, which both support restarts for nuclear reactors. On Tuesday, DPFP chief Yuichiro Tamaki told a press conference, “We should fully operate any nuclear power plants that are available right now.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]