Japan’s newly appointed economy minister, Yoji Muto, has emphasized the need for Japan to make the most of its existing nuclear power plants to cater to the rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers. Muto, who assumed the role on Tuesday, stated that it is “natural” for Japan to pursue a combination of atomic and renewable energy sources to meet the growing needs without increasing carbon emissions. He further added that the new administration will prioritize the safe restart of as many reactors as possible.
Muto’s remarks indicate a continuation of the efforts initiated by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who aimed to restore nuclear energy as a significant power source in Japan. Despite several reactors still offline following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Kishida’s approach sought to shift the country’s energy mix back towards nuclear power. Shigeru Ishiba, Kishida’s successor, initially expressed a desire to reduce Japan’s reliance on nuclear energy during his campaign but later voiced support for restarting existing plants. This change in stance led to a decline in utility shares earlier this week, as investors speculated that the new government’s approach would hinder the nuclear energy push.
Japan’s renewed focus on nuclear power aligns with a global trend where countries are turning to fission as a stable and emissions-free source of electricity to meet their growing energy demands. Muto also emphasized the importance of safeguarding Japan’s atomic industry by developing next-generation reactors. As part of this effort, the nation is currently revising its strategic energy plan, which will dictate the power mix beyond 2030. Presently, Japan relies on fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal for approximately 70% of its energy needs.