Japan plans to safely restart its nuclear power plants while maximizing the use of renewable energy, according to Industry Minister Yoji Muto. This statement, made on October 2, 2024, reflects a continuation of energy policies under newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, despite his previous opposition to nuclear power.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Ishiba had pledged to eliminate nuclear energy from Japan's energy mix, which heavily relies on fossil fuel imports for two-thirds of its electricity. However, he has since shifted his stance, advocating for increased renewable energy sources, including hydropower, and energy conservation measures.
Muto emphasized the importance of energy security as Japan anticipates rising electricity demand driven by the establishment of data centers and semiconductor factories. Last year, renewable energy constituted over a quarter of Japan's power generation, while nuclear power accounted for only 9% of the total, following the 2011 Fukushima disaster that led to the shutdown of all nuclear reactors.
Currently, Japan operates eleven nuclear reactors, significantly reduced from the 54 it had before the disaster. The restart of these reactors has contributed to a decrease in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, but the country still faced high energy import costs, totaling 12.4 trillion yen ($86 billion) last year, which has implications for living costs.
Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) is seeking to restart its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the largest in the world, though it faces local safety concerns and regulatory hurdles. Experts suggest that the upcoming House of Representatives election on October 27 will significantly influence the future of nuclear energy discussions in Japan.