The Japanese government is facing controversy as it revises its energy policy to increase reliance on nuclear power. Recently, Japan announced a new energy plan to raise the share of nuclear power to 20% of total electricity generation by 2040. This move is interpreted as a measure to accommodate the rising power demand from data centers and achieve carbon neutrality, but it has sparked debates over nuclear safety and economic feasibility.
In the new basic energy plan, the previously stated commitment to “reducing nuclear dependency” has been removed. This policy shift suggests that the Japanese government is moving away from its previous stance of phasing out nuclear power and is now actively promoting reactor operations.
This move is also related to the increasing power demand driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The Japanese government sees AI and data centers as key energy consumers in the future and is exploring nuclear expansion as a countermeasure. However, critics argue that boosting nuclear energy to ensure power stability contradicts the post-Fukushima policy direction of reducing reliance on nuclear power.
In particular, this policy revision has intensified debates surrounding the safety of nuclear power. Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has been working to mitigate nuclear risks, yet the government’s renewed push for nuclear expansion has raised serious concerns among civic groups and experts.
Additionally, Japan’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis adds to these concerns. The Fukushima disaster itself was triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami, raising doubts about whether Japan’s nuclear facilities are adequately prepared for seismic events. As the government moves forward with its nuclear expansion plan, how it addresses earthquake preparedness will be a critical issue.
While reassessing nuclear power as a means to achieve carbon neutrality is understandable, some argue that Japan should prioritize expanding renewable energy sources instead. Although nuclear power serves as a baseload energy source, the high costs of constructing new reactors and maintaining existing ones impose a significant economic burden. Furthermore, the issue of nuclear waste disposal remains an unresolved challenge.
Thus, Japan’s shift in nuclear policy represents an effort to balance energy security, environmental protection, and economic viability. However, whether nuclear expansion is the best long-term solution remains uncertain. There is growing interest in how Japan’s nuclear expansion plans will unfold and how the accompanying social discussions will develop.
