Facing energy crisis, Japanese public backs resumption of more nuclear reactors – as long as they are safe

While the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster is still in people’s minds, most accept that a lot more energy will be needed when the weather cools

‘Resource-scarce’ Japan is seeing rising energy costs but nuclear power critics worry about active fault lines, volcanoes and evacuation procedures

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The Fukushima nuclear power plant, north of Tokyo. Most Japanese people now seem to support more nuclear reactors to generate energy, 11 years after the infamous nuclear disaster following an earthquake. But safety is a huge concern. File photo: via AP

Published: 5:05pm, 15 Jul 2022Updated: 5:33pm, 15 Jul 2022

The Japanese public appears to support the announcement that nine nuclear reactors will become operational in the coming months to meet soaring domestic demand for electricity, although caveats to that support show the Fukushima nuclear disaster is still fresh in people’s minds.

In a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said plans were under way to have nine more reactors available over the winter, providing around 10 per cent of the nation’s energy.

There were 54 reactors across Japan before the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima power plant, when a gigantic wave after an earthquake flooded reactors, leading to nuclear fuel in three of them overheating, partly melting the cores.

Public opinion then moved against nuclear power, and currently just five reactors are operating.

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit over Japan’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident celebrate on Wednesday after a court ordered former bosses at the plant’s operator to pay US$94.8 billion in damages. Photo: EPA-EFE

A further five have been approved to restart after meeting the nuclear regulator’s upgraded safety and anti-terrorism standards, although one is due to be offline from September for additional security measures.