Nuclear Electrification** Japan Economy

The “Washington Post” website’s report on July 10th: Declining support for nuclear power poses a threat to the Japanese economy Due to routine inspections, two of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors will cease operations later this month. In August there will be three nuclear reactors out of service.

Under normal circumstances, the suspension will be temporary. But now, the outlook for these nuclear reactors is an issue that Japan urgently needs to address because the Japanese government, which has its own internal differences in nuclear energy policy, has not gathered the political will or people needed to restart the reactor once it is shut down. stand by.

Unless this situation changes in the next few months, Japan will face the following situation: By April next year, all its nuclear reactors may be shut down because many nuclear reactors will be inspected soon as planned.

Japan’s nuclear policy requires nuclear reactors to be stopped for inspection after every 13 months of operation. In other words, Japan is now facing a countdown and must win support from its own people for nuclear energy, otherwise it will face major economic consequences.

In recent days, the Japanese central government has only succeeded in weakening its position. At the urging of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Japan said on the 6th that it will conduct stress tests on all nuclear power plants to assess their ability to withstand plane crashes, natural disasters and other extreme events. However, the government announced on June 18 that the nuclear power plant has taken all necessary measures to ensure safety, and new security inspections are contradictory to the above.

Inconsistent and conflicting messages reflect the growing disagreement between political analysts such as Naoto Kan and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Haejeon Machimura. Naoto Kan promised to rely more on renewable energy, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has vigorously promoted the safety of nuclear energy for many years.

Last month, Haijiang Tian Miles said in a statement: "There is no problem with the safety of nuclear power plants continuing to operate and restart."

On the 8th, Mr. Kan was forced to apologize for stress tests for so long. He said that the late decision led to confusion.

Before the earthquake and tsunami on March 11 caused three meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan was the third largest nuclear power producer in the world. Its 54 nuclear reactors provide about 30% of the country's electricity.

But now, only 17 nuclear reactors in Japan are operating as usual, and two are in test mode. Although the Fukushima nuclear accident caused a direct blow to Tokyo Electric Power Co., other large power companies are currently facing the problem of increasingly insufficient power supply capacity.

Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and currently a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo, Ieyasu Ito, said that Japan does not have a strategy to deal with energy shortages. “At the same time, the mood for the phase-out of nuclear power is growing... We need a medium-term energy plan – planning for the next 5 or 10 years – to ensure energy supply for homes and businesses. I’m worried that some companies are already Quietly evacuated."