Nuclear policy draft indicates shift in Japan’s energy policy

Kansai Electric Power’s Mihama nuclear power station in Mihama Town, Fukui prefecture, which was restarted last year. – Agencies

THE Japanese government has concluded that nuclear power generation is necessary to achieve a stable electricity supply and a decarbonised society in the long term, according to a draft of the nation’s new nuclear policy.

The current policy states that Japan “will reduce its dependence on nuclear power as much as possible”. That policy has shifted, according to the draft presented by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry on Monday. The new policy would effectively allow nuclear power plants to operate beyond the current limit of 60 years and would allow development of next-generation nuclear power plants. To strengthen the development of such plants, the draft calls for establishing a “control tower” comprising the government, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and companies.