Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's comment on nuclear energy marks a sharp shift from the nation’s stance that it was not considering building new plants or replacing aged reactors
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday he has
instructed his government to consider developing safer, smaller nuclear
reactors, signaling a renewed emphasis on nuclear energy years after many of
the country's plants were shut down.
Kishida made the comment at a "green
transformation" conference on bolstering the country's efforts to curb
emissions of greenhouse gases. Japan has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by
2050.
Anti-nuclear sentiment and safety
concerns rose sharply in Japan after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant
disaster, but the government has been pushing for a return to nuclear energy
of power shortages following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a global push
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The government, however, previously insisted it was not
considering building new plants or replacing aged reactors. Kishida's comment
on Wednesday represents a sharp change from that stance.
Most of Japan's nuclear power plants were taken off line
following the Fukushima accident for safety checks under tightened standards.
The government has already announced plans to restart up to
nine reactors by winter
tocope with the energy crunch. It aims to restart seven other reactors by
next summer and extend the operational life of aging reactors.
Picture credit: AP
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