Japan considers replacing up to 14 aging nuclear reactors by 2050s

Japan is increasingly leaning towards nuclear energy, with plans to replace as many as 14 aging reactors by the 2050s, more than 15 years after the Fukushima disaster. This strategic shift reflects a growing emphasis on atomic power within the nation's energy policy.

The Ministry of Industry's plan aims to replace approximately five aging reactors by the 2040s, with a further target of about 14 reactors in the subsequent decade. This marks the first time the Japanese government has established precise objectives for reactor replacement, according to local media reports.

This initiative comes as Japan grapples with securing adequate electricity generation capacity to meet escalating demand. Factors contributing to this surge include the burgeoning needs of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, data centers, and semiconductor manufacturing plants. The Japanese electric industry projects a potential deficit of 5.5 million kilowatts by the 2040s, equivalent to the output of roughly five reactors.

Japan had halted all its nuclear power plants following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that led to meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. However, the country now seeks to revive atomic energy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and address the rising energy demands associated with technological advancements.