Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli Foreign Minister says 'Israel' fully endorses Trump plan for Gaza aid: Reuters
Iranian state media: The fourth round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington has kicked off in Oman
Senior Israeli intelligence official: Contacts are underway between Syria and "Israel" to retrieve the body of the spy Eli Cohen
Reuters: US and Chinese officials met again in Geneva to resume trade talks
Al Mayadeen's envoy: The process of uranium enrichment is the main obstacle in the talks
Al Mayadeen's envoy to Muscat, quoting a source in the delegation engaging in the nuclear talks: If we see that the other party deviates from the agreed-upon frameworks, we will not continue the talks
Al Mayadeen's envoy to Muscat, quoting a source in the delegation engaging in the nuclear talks: Iran is ready to reassure all parties that its nuclear program will remain peaceful
Araghchi: Iran's position on its right to a nuclear program is firm, but we are ready for greater transparency and hope that the other side's approach will be clear
Araghchi: Uranium enrichment is a valuable achievement for the Iranian people and is non-negotiable
Araghchi: Iran's nuclear program is legitimate and legal, and all our activities are peaceful and have been and will remain under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency

Kishida urges Japan restart producing energy through nuclear plants

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Aug 2022 00:00
3 Min Read

Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, proposed to restart the country's nuclear power sector in an effort to address rising energy costs brought on by the war in Ukraine.

  • x
  • Kishida urges Japan restart producing energy through nuclear plants
    The Unit 4 reactor building of the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station is seen through a bus window in Okuma, Japan, when the media were allowed into Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear power plant for the first time since the March 11, 2011 disaster AP Photo/David Guttenfelder, Pool, File)

In an effort to combat rising energy costs brought on by the war in Ukraine, the prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, on Wednesday, called for an initiative to restart the nation's nuclear power sector.

Since the start of the Ukraine war six months ago, Japan, one of many nations seeking to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, has seen pressure on its energy sources. However, as part of its attempts to achieve carbon neutrality, the Japanese government has updated and tightened nuclear safety regulations and intends for nuclear power to produce 20-22% of the nation's electricity by 2030.

After the Fukushima tragedy in 2011, which prompted the suspension of several nuclear reactors due to safety concerns, such a decision could be considered highly contentious. In Japan, nuclear energy accounted for around a third of power output prior to the Fukushima accident, but by 2020, that percentage had dropped to fewer than 5%. 

Kishida, at an energy policy meeting, said that the war in Ukraine "has vastly transformed the world's energy landscape" and so "Japan needs to bear in mind potential crisis scenarios."
 
He added that if safety can be ensured, Japan should think about developing next-generation nuclear reactors, and the government would talk about opening more nuclear facilities and extending reactor lifespans.

Related News

Russia-Japan diplomatic rift grows amid NATO, Ukraine disputes

Japan: Massive US Treasury holdings a negotiation tool for trade talks

After a devastating tsunami in March 2011 led to a meltdown at the Fukushima plant, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl, Kishida urged for "concrete conclusions by the end of the year" on the sensitive subject.

10 of Japan's 33 nuclear reactors are back in service 11 years later, albeit not all of them are, and the nation is still highly reliant on imported fossil fuels.

The restart of seven more reactors has received preliminary approval from the national nuclear safety watchdog, although local populations frequently oppose such actions.

"In addition to securing the operations of the 10 reactors that are already back online, the government will spearhead an effort to do all it takes to realize the restart" of the others whose safety has been approved, Kishida said. 
 
The PM further urged policymakers to consider "constructing next-generation nuclear reactors equipped with new safety mechanisms."

On a different but related topic, Tokyo Electric Power's share price increased by 9.96% and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' price increased by 6.85% during the afternoon trading as local media revealed the potential intentions.

Read more: Japan sets US-backed "Taiwan contingency" initiative

  • Japan
  • Fuel Shortage
  • Fuel prices
  • Fumio Kishida
  • Nuclear power plant

Most Read

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu, senior Israeli official says

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu: Israeli media

  • US & Canada
  • 9 May 2025
Pakistan downs an Indian jet and hits a military base in Kashmir escalation.

Pakistan downs 3 Indian jets, hits military base in Kashmir escalation

  • Politics
  • 7 May 2025
"Israel" appears to be the only place in the world where there are actual demonstrations defending rapists as national heroes precisely because of their crimes. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

'Israeli pride' - Celebrating rape in the Zionist entity

  • Opinion
  • 4 May 2025
A Yemeni gunman walks past paintings depicting rockets and scenes in solidarity with Gaza, displayed on a roadside fence in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, May 5, 2025 (AP)

Oman brokers US-Yemen ceasefire, Israelis in dark regarding deal

  • Politics
  • 6 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
Palestinians inspect the damage caused by an Israeli airstrike that targeted displacement tents in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Liberated prisoner Yousri al-Masri martyred in Gaza airstrike

AP
Politics

US envoy to deliver 22-point Ukraine peace plan to Putin

AP
Politics

Pakistan denies violating ceasefire as tensions flare along border

AP
Politics

Israeli media blasts Netanyahu over US ties, war failures

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS