Japan’s Nuclear Renaissance: Post-Fukushima Strategies to Boost Atomic Energy Dependence

The ongoing impact of the Fukushima disaster continues to cast a long shadow over Japan’s energy policy decisions. As part of its strategy to address increasing demand from sectors like artificial intelligence and semiconductors, which are power-intensive, the country has announced a significant shift in its approach to nuclear energy.

On Tuesday, an energy plan approved by the cabinet emphasized “maximizing the use of nuclear energy” while removing any references to reducing reliance on it. According to this new policy document prepared by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan aims for nuclear power to account for 20% of its grid supply by 2040, a doubling from its current share of approximately 8.5% in 2023.

However, as this plan moves towards parliamentary approval over the coming months, it faces significant challenges and concerns. Currently, Japan operates just 14 commercial nuclear reactors compared to 54 before the Fukushima disaster twelve years ago, when almost one-third of its energy came from nuclear sources. The ongoing crisis in Ukraine and geopolitical tensions have made fossil fuels more challenging and unpredictable to secure for Japan.

Daishiro Yamagiwa, an MP involved in a government advisory committee on energy policy, highlighted that the country’s reliance on imports90% of which come from other nationsis also a major driver behind this shift. The growing demand from AI data centers and semiconductor factories is adding to existing energy burdens.

Yet, experts caution against an overemphasis on nuclear power due to its inherent risks and costs. According to Professor Kenichi Oshima at Ryukoku University’s Faculty of Policy Science, increasing the number of reactors would mean importing uraniuman expensive proposition that could make Japan vulnerable to international supply disruptions. Additionally, there is concern about a heightened risk of catastrophic accidents similar to what occurred at Fukushima.

In light of these concerns, public sentiment remains divided. Tokyo resident Yuko Maruyama expressed her reservations: “I don’t support it [the nuclear energy plan]. I want the government to rely on other sources of energy. As a mother, I think about my children’s safety and wonder what might happen in the future.” This reflects ongoing distrust following Fukushima.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace have also criticized the move, describing it as “outrageous” given that nuclear fallout from Fukushima is still fresh. They argue against continued reliance on a technology they claim remains toxic for tens of thousands of years and poses significant risks such as earthquakes and terrorism.

The realization of this ambitious plan will require overcoming numerous logistical hurdles. Not only does Japan need to restart more reactors, which would involve extensive safety checks, but it also faces local opposition in various regions where new nuclear plants could be built or old ones restored. Moreover, the country’s aging infrastructure necessitates significant investment in modernizing and securing its existing facilities.

As these debates unfold within Japanese society and government institutions, there remains a complex interplay of safety concerns, geopolitical considerations, economic necessities, and public trusteach factor shaping Japans future energy landscape against the backdrop of continued nuclear memories.