08 January 2021
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Japan will need nuclear power if it is to realise the government s carbon neutrality goal and should therefore restart idled nuclear reactors as soon as possible, as well as work to extend their operating lifetimes and build new nuclear capacity, the heads of the Japanese Atomic Industry Forum (JAIF) and the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) have said in separate New Year messages.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (Image: Tepco)
Japan has confirmed its objective to raise the share of nuclear power to 20-22% by 2030, but the process to restart the reactors shut down after the Fukushima Daiichi accident remains slow. According to the International Energy Agency, as of January 2020, the reviews of 15 reactors had been successfully completed and nine of them had returned to operation. The remaining 18 operable reactors are at various stages of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) review process, and several may be forced to shut down temporarily for not meeting NRA
Race for environment leadership in East Asia enough for green recovery?
In the midst of darkness, a glimmer of hope seems to be emerging for the world this year. The question is whether Japan is really coming along for the journey. A green and just future for all, especially for the youth of today and tomorrow, is within Japan s grasp but will this unmissable moment for much needed change be fully realized?
As COVID-19 continues, Japan s new administration is taking on the climate crisis by declaring a goal of carbon net zero by 2050. Along with neighbors China and South Korea, Japan s declaration of decarbonization means the race to net zero is on in East Asia. With U.S. President-elect Biden s 2050 decarbonization plan and the European Green Deal, over 50 percent of global GDP is now covered by net zero targets, so there is real momentum on the world stage.