Rebirth of Nuclear Power?

Japan’s nuclear watchdog approves extension for tsunami-hit plant to operate beyond 40-year cap

With the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the public perception of nuclear power in Japan continues to be poor. As recently as this month, individuals in Tokyo were protesting against the opening of Tokai No. 2 power plant near Tokyo. The plant, which is about 130 km northeast of Tokyo, is similar to the Fukushima power plant that had the nuclear meltdown 7 years ago. Yet, the number of anti-restart signatures has risen to nearly 30,000 signatures despite the numerous promises about increases to safety and improvements in evacuation plans.

Briefly, these are the steps that Japan Atomic Power must clear to restart the nuclear power plant successfully:

• Power plant must produce at least 500,000 kilowatts to be economically viable
• Construct a 1.7 kilometer long coastal levee to protect against 17.1 meter high tsunamis
• Compile an evacuation plan for all members within a 30 kilometer radius (approximately 960,000 residents)
• Consent from host municipality and surrounding areas
• Approval from the Nuclear Regulation Authority

So far, the Tokai No. 2 power plant has only satisfied the last requirement and with the effects of climate change becoming a closer reality, such as stronger typhoons/hurricanes and large wildfires in California, nuclear power is becoming a more necessary alternative to the coal plants that have since replaced it. In 2010, nuclear energy consisted of 28.6% of Japan's energy and was reduced to nothing in 2014. In the last two years, thermal coal power has risen significantly with plans for more power plants, but the plans for these plants run contrary to other major countries such as U.K. and France which plan to close their coal plants by 2025 and 2021 respectively. Despite the efforts that Japan is making in developing renewable energy, it still falls short compared to other countries in the G7. Takamitsu Satu, a professor at Shiga University, argues, "Nuclear energy is the only power source that can fill the gap created by the reduced share of coal". Furthermore, no new nuclear energy power plants are being built partly due to the sheer cost of safety standards that must now be enforced. Despite the fact that this Tozai nuclear power plant has recently been approved, nuclear power continues to be shunned in Japan despite it being the only alternative that will reduce emissions.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181107_47/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2018/07/16/commentary/japan-commentary/plotting-japans-energy-future/#.W-rApJMzZZg
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2018/07/12/commentary/japan-commentary/future-shape-japans-energy-policy/#.W-rApJMzZZg