On the 7th, the Chinese-language media Japan Overseas Chinese News published an article saying, “Japan’s attempt to resume nuclear power development is not just due to power shortages.” Photo: Tokyo Station.
On September 7, 2022, Chinese mediaOverseas Chinese NewsThe network posted an article saying, “Japan’s plan to resume nuclear power development is not just due to power shortages.” Below is an overview.
Due to changes in domestic and overseas situations,Kishida FumioThe government has changed the policy of the 6th Strategic Energy Plan, which was launched last autumn, which does not include any new nuclear power plants. It gave a signal to proceed with power generation research and development. The aim of the Japanese government’s major change of direction in the field of nuclear power generation is to go far beyond that category along with the energy issue.
first,UkraineWhenRussiaJapan itself is facing negative impacts from changes in the world’s energy environment due to its participation in the military conflict. As one of the sanctions against Russia, the suspension of coal imports from Russia led to power shortages and rising prices in Japan. From Japan’s point of view, while aligning with the Western camp has political benefits, it also faces energy coordination problems.
Secondly, by accelerating the construction of nuclear power plants, the aim is for Japan to gain an advantage in the global decarbonization race. Japan, which has lagged behind the rest of the world in decarbonization efforts, has continued to feel a sense of crisis, but nuclear power generation, which is an important means of decarbonization, has been derailed by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Unable to accept the fact that nuclear power generation has fallen from the top 10 in the world in terms of the share of total power generation, Japan is now trying to increase the competitiveness of nuclear power generation.
And energy diplomacy has become an important section for strengthening Japan’s national interests. In recent years, Japan has increased the strength of its security and linked it to diplomacy. Military, economic, and energy are the three pillars of Japan’s development. Several years ago, Japan launched the concept of “energy diplomacy,” promoting the participation of the energy business in international affairs and enhancing its international voice. It is positioned as an important diplomatic capital for achieving this goal. (translation/editing/Kawajiri）