Japan is planning to continue restarting its nuclear power plants while expanding the use of renewable energy, according to Industry Minister Yoji Muto. Under the newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who had initially opposed nuclear energy, the government has signaled no major changes in its energy policy. Ishiba, while previously advocating for the elimination of nuclear power, has shifted his stance, now emphasizing a balance between renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, and nuclear energy for meeting Japan's growing energy demands.
Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Japan shut down all its nuclear reactors but has since restarted 11, which now contribute around 9% of the nation's power generation. Despite this, Japan still relies heavily on fossil fuels like coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which constitute the majority of its energy mix. The reactivation of nuclear reactors has helped Japan reduce its LNG imports, but the costs of importing LNG and coal continue to burden the economy, accounting for a significant portion of the country's import bill.
The future of Japan's nuclear energy policy remains a topic of debate, especially with local opposition to the reopening of some plants, such as TEPCO’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant. Safety concerns and political dynamics, including the upcoming House of Representatives election, will influence the direction of the country’s energy strategy. Experts like Mika Ohbayashi suggest that nuclear energy could potentially be phased out in the future, but for now, the government is focused on balancing energy security, costs, and the goal of decarbonization.
