popular articles

In Japan, the Nuclear Comeback to Eliminate Coal

Japan is reorienting its energy policy by restarting its nuclear reactors to reduce its dependence on coal. This decision comes amidst environmental pressures and the search for cleaner energy sources.

Please share:

The Sea of Japan glistens peacefully near the world’s largest nuclear power plant: Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (KK). As the country seeks to limit coal usage, one of KK’s reactors has recently been brought back into service, accompanied by new safety measures, including a reinforced tsunami wall.

Return to Nuclear Energy

After the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Japan had abandoned civil nuclear power, leading to a significant increase in fossil fuel imports. Today, Tokyo is accelerating its return to nuclear energy, which currently accounts for less than 10% of its electricity production. Masaki Daito, deputy director of KK, assures that the new safety standards are the strictest in the world.

Enhanced Safety Measures

At KK, several systems have been installed to prevent a recurrence of the Fukushima accident. In addition to the 15-meter anti-tsunami wall, the plant has generator trucks on elevated grounds, evacuation panels, and filtered ventilation systems. These improvements aim to maintain electricity supply and limit the impact of a potential disaster.

Economic and Environmental Impact

Before 2011, nuclear power plants provided a third of Japan’s electricity. The closure of reactors forced the country to increase imports of gas, coal, and oil, with a daily cost of 510 million dollars last year. The think tank E3G ranks Japan last among G7 countries in terms of decarbonizing electrical systems.

Energy Transition Goals

Japan aims to increase the share of renewable energies, including hydroelectric power, from 20% to 36-38% by 2030. At the same time, it plans to reduce the share of fossil fuels to 41%. Hanna Hakko, an E3G expert, estimates that the country could achieve 70-80% of its electricity from renewables by 2035, thereby gradually eliminating coal.

Challenges and Perspectives

Despite these efforts, nuclear energy remains essential to cover the remaining energy needs, alongside gas. Tokyo expects that nuclear will generate 20-22% of electricity by 2030. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has affirmed the necessity of using nuclear power to ensure energy security, despite persistent public concerns.

Risks and Public Perceptions

Concerns about nuclear energy remain strong. Tokyo has recently issued a “mega-earthquake notice” and assesses a 70% risk of a major quake in the next thirty years. In Fukushima, securing the site and the fate of the radioactive fuel remain uncertain, fueling public mistrust of nuclear power.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Japanese operator Tepco has completed the extraction of a second radioactive debris sample from the damaged Fukushima reactor, a critical technical step in a decommissioning project set to span several decades.
US-based enCore Energy continues to optimise its uranium project in Texas with a record installation rate and strengthened leadership team.
US-based enCore Energy continues to optimise its uranium project in Texas with a record installation rate and strengthened leadership team.
Framatome has commissioned a new facility in Romans-sur-Isère to secure long-term production of research reactor fuels and medical isotopes.
Framatome has commissioned a new facility in Romans-sur-Isère to secure long-term production of research reactor fuels and medical isotopes.
EDF reconnected the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor to the power grid on 19 April, two days ahead of schedule, following a series of technical maintenance works and adjustments on critical components.
EDF reconnected the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor to the power grid on 19 April, two days ahead of schedule, following a series of technical maintenance works and adjustments on critical components.
TerraPower has informed the UK regulator of its intention to submit the Natrium reactor design for evaluation under the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, the first step toward international deployment of this nuclear technology.
Framatome and Sizewell C have signed a contract for the supply, qualification, and pre-assembly of conventional instrumentation for the EPR reactors under construction at Sizewell, strengthening their collaboration on this large-scale project.
Framatome and Sizewell C have signed a contract for the supply, qualification, and pre-assembly of conventional instrumentation for the EPR reactors under construction at Sizewell, strengthening their collaboration on this large-scale project.
Uzbekistan has launched the construction of auxiliary buildings for its future modular nuclear reactor, the first export project for the Russian RITM-200N technology.
Uzbekistan has launched the construction of auxiliary buildings for its future modular nuclear reactor, the first export project for the Russian RITM-200N technology.
Holtec International has submitted its final proposal to Great British Nuclear as part of the competition to deploy several small modular reactors in the UK, joining GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR in the decisive phase.
Holtec International has submitted its final proposal to Great British Nuclear as part of the competition to deploy several small modular reactors in the UK, joining GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR in the decisive phase.
The restart of the Flamanville EPR reactor, initially scheduled for 17 April, has now been postponed to 21 April following extended maintenance operations, according to a statement from Électricité de France.
EDF announced on April 10 the extension of the shutdown of the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor, initially scheduled to restart on April 12, due to new maintenance operations within its nuclear zone.
EDF announced on April 10 the extension of the shutdown of the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor, initially scheduled to restart on April 12, due to new maintenance operations within its nuclear zone.
The French National Assembly has launched a mission to analyse nuclear pricing and anticipate the effects of the 2026 tariff reform amid heightened tensions over energy costs.
The French National Assembly has launched a mission to analyse nuclear pricing and anticipate the effects of the 2026 tariff reform amid heightened tensions over energy costs.
GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR have submitted their final offer as part of the modular reactor selection process led by Great British Nuclear in the United Kingdom.
GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR have submitted their final offer as part of the modular reactor selection process led by Great British Nuclear in the United Kingdom.
Washington and Abu Dhabi pave the way for renewed civil nuclear cooperation, aiming to strengthen Emirati technological and energy capabilities within a complex regional strategic context.
Duke Energy has submitted a request to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operation of its Robinson plant by 20 years, supporting energy stability in the Carolinas.
Duke Energy has submitted a request to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operation of its Robinson plant by 20 years, supporting energy stability in the Carolinas.
India's largest power producer, NTPC, paves the way for small modular reactors to modernize its aging energy infrastructure and strengthen energy security through significant international partnerships.
India's largest power producer, NTPC, paves the way for small modular reactors to modernize its aging energy infrastructure and strengthen energy security through significant international partnerships.
EDF has delayed the restart of the Flamanville EPR to 11 April, citing a new maintenance operation, while keeping its 2025 production forecast unchanged.
EDF has delayed the restart of the Flamanville EPR to 11 April, citing a new maintenance operation, while keeping its 2025 production forecast unchanged.
EDF's plan to build a facility for recycling low-level radioactive metals in Fessenheim is raising significant concerns over health, economics and regulation.
enCore Energy extracted 50,000 pounds of uranium in March from its Alta Mesa site in Texas, while consolidating its operations through strategic leadership appointments.
enCore Energy extracted 50,000 pounds of uranium in March from its Alta Mesa site in Texas, while consolidating its operations through strategic leadership appointments.
Canada's nuclear regulator has issued Ontario Power Generation a construction licence for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington site, marking a key step in the province’s nuclear development.
Canada's nuclear regulator has issued Ontario Power Generation a construction licence for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington site, marking a key step in the province’s nuclear development.
Despite severe Western sanctions targeting Russian energy, Rosatom continues its international nuclear projects and maintains a steady flow of enriched uranium to Europe and the United States, thus supporting the Russian economy through an effective diversification strategy.
Despite severe Western sanctions targeting Russian energy, Rosatom continues its international nuclear projects and maintains a steady flow of enriched uranium to Europe and the United States, thus supporting the Russian economy through an effective diversification strategy.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe has signed a development agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium, ensuring continuity of Poland's first nuclear plant project after a previous contract expired.
Fermi Energia has signed a strategic agreement with Samsung C&T to develop two small modular reactors in Estonia, targeting commercial operation by 2035.
Fermi Energia has signed a strategic agreement with Samsung C&T to develop two small modular reactors in Estonia, targeting commercial operation by 2035.
China National Nuclear Corporation mobilizes international investors and financial partners for a unique nuclear project combining two distinct technologies to simultaneously supply industrial heat and electricity, marking a new strategic step for China's energy industry.
China National Nuclear Corporation mobilizes international investors and financial partners for a unique nuclear project combining two distinct technologies to simultaneously supply industrial heat and electricity, marking a new strategic step for China's energy industry.
Framatome and TechnicAtome have acquired Segault, a strategic nuclear valve manufacturer, thereby blocking a takeover by the American firm Flowserve following opposition from the French government.
Framatome and TechnicAtome have acquired Segault, a strategic nuclear valve manufacturer, thereby blocking a takeover by the American firm Flowserve following opposition from the French government.

Advertising