On September 14, 2012 it is expected that Japan might propose to abandon nuclear power by the 2030s. This might be a major shift in the policy goals set before last year’s Fukushima disaster which aimed to increase the share of atomic energy to more than half of electricity supply.
The unpopular government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, might call in for a restart of the reactors which were idled after 2011 disaster if they are deemed safe by the atomic regulator. Noda could even face an election this year.
The anti-nuclear campaign in Japan is growing every day. The protestors in Japan have demanded an immediate end to the nuclear power. The anti nuclear movement is also certain to oppose any such proposal to secure electricity supplies.
A shift from the nuclear power will mean that the country will have to take back its position as the world’s biggest importer of liquefied natural gas LNG and the third largest purchaser of oil to feed its power stations. Last week it was estimated by the government that it will need to spend about 3.1 trillion yen more on fuel imports a year it if abandons nuclear power immediately. The ministers of Japan are due to meet on September 14, 2012 in terms of a new policy.
