What happened to the idea of a nuclear-free Japan?

April 12, 2014

Abe administration steers away from nuclear-free policy

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/business/AJ201404120049

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

Turning a blind eye to the Fukushima crisis and public outcry over the safety of atomic power, the Abe administration has decided not to pursue a nuclear-free society.

The new basic energy plan, approved by the Cabinet on April 11, is at odds with the policy of the previous Democratic Party of Japan-led government which was in power when the nuclear disaster unfolded in 2011.

The Abe administration made clear it regards nuclear power as a key electricity source and will restart idled nuclear reactors if their safety is confirmed.

Without offering specific measures to reduce the nation's dependence on atomic energy, the administration said it will forge ahead with the promotion of nuclear power generation.

It was the first time since the nuclear accident triggered by the earthquake and tsunami disaster that a Cabinet has taken upon itself to decide the country’s nuclear power and energy policies.

According to the new basic energy plan, the administration will lower the ratio of nuclear power among all electricity sources as much as possible.

However, it did not specify how much nuclear power generation will be reduced, or by when.

With regard to building new nuclear reactors, the energy plan calls for studies into how much additional nuclear power generation will be necessary.

This diverges from the DPJ-led government policy of not constructing new nuclear reactors.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority is now screening 17 reactors of 10 nuclear power plants to judge whether they meet new safety standards. The screening on the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors at the Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture is ahead of those on the other 15 reactors.

In a news conference held April 11, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that if the NRA approves operations of certain reactors, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will put political considerations aside when making the decision to reactivate them.

This suggests that if the safety of certain reactors is guaranteed by the NRA screenings, the Abe administration will approve their restart unconditionally.

The new basic energy plan also specified that the administration will maintain the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, and promote a nuclear fuel recycling program. The DPJ-led government was committed to closing Monju.

The plan also states that the administration aims to make the ratio of renewable energies among all the electricity sources higher than the previous target of “about 20 percent in 2030.” However, it does not set a fixed target.

GIST OF NEW BASIC ENERGY PLAN

--Nuclear power is an important base load electricity source;

--Nuclear reactors that meet new safety standards will be restarted;

--Dependence on nuclear power will be reduced as much as possible;

--The government will make utmost efforts toward the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste;

--Nuclear fuel recycling program will be promoted;

--Monju will be used as an international research stronghold; and

--Renewable energies will be introduced as quickly as possible during a three-year period from 2013.