
Cabinet accepts new basic concept on nuclear energy use
August 1, 2017Author: Dr. Phyllis Yoshida
Categories: Energy and Technology, Sasakawa USA Blog
World Energy News reported that Japan’s cabinet approved the Japan Atomic Energy Commission’s (JAEC) new “Basic Concept on Nuclear Energy Use” on July 21, 2017. The concept calls for the promotion of the benefits of nuclear energy for the environment, people’s lives and the economy.
Tags: JAEC, Japan, Japan atomic energy commission, Nuclear energy

In Japan, ‘soul searching’ years after disaster
July 3, 2017Author: Umair Irfan
Categories: Energy and Technology, Sasakawa USA Blog
Japan meets about 84 percent of its energy needs with imports, writes Umair Irfan, recipient of the 2016 Sasakawa USA Journalism Fellowship. While nuclear power gave the country an energy source that played to its strengths in high-technology manufacturing and a robust domestic supply chain, after the triple disaster of 2011, much of the Japanese public remains uncomfortable with returning to nuclear.
Tags: climate change, Fukushima, Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, Nuclear energy, Paris climate accord

Monju fast-breeder reactor set for decommissioning
November 1, 2016Author: Nippon.com
Categories: Energy and Technology, In-Depth with Nippon.com
At a September 21 ministerial meeting, the Japanese government took a step toward decommissioning the Monju fast-breeder reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture. Cabinet members involved in nuclear power policy agreed to draw up plans within the year for the development of a new fast reactor to replace Monju, operated by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency.
Tags: decommission, decommissioning, energy, Fukui, Japan, monju, monju fast-breeder reactor, Nuclear, Nuclear energy, nuclear reactor, reactor

Niigata voters elect antinuclear governor in blow to Abe’s energy policy
October 25, 2016Author: Nippon.com
Categories: Energy and Technology, In-Depth with Nippon.com
Antinuclear candidate Yoneyama Ryuichi won the Niigata gubernatorial contest on October 16, 2016, in a setback to the government’s efforts to restart Tokyo Electric Power’s largest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located in the prefecture.
Tags: Abe, election, energy policy, Fukushima, governor, kashiwazaki-kariwa, Komeito, LDP, Liberal Democratic Party, Nuclear, Nuclear energy, Sendai, Shinzo Abe, tokyo electric power, yoneyama ryuichi

Decommissioning Monju: Japan’s energy conundrum
September 27, 2016Author: Dr. Phyllis Yoshida
Categories: Energy and Technology, Sasakawa USA Blog
The Japanese Cabinet last week approved the decommissioning of the Monju nuclear reactor in Fukui Prefecture. Meanwhile, the Cabinet also announced a commitment to developing fast reactors and nuclear energy. Sasakawa USA’s Dr. Phyllis Yoshida explains the conundrum.
Tags: anti-nuclear, decommissioning, energy, Fukushima, japanese cabinet, monju, Nuclear, Nuclear energy, nuclear reactor, Politics, Power, reactor