Japan’s Anti-Nuclear Drive Gains Momentum

Despite the restart of two units at Kansai Electric’s Ohi facility last month, prospects for Japan’s other 48 nuclear reactors, all of which remain idle, are still clouded by political uncertainty. Recent polls suggest the government greatly under estimated anti-nuclear sentiment and this could presage adjustments to the country’s longterm energy planning. These changes threaten to delay release of the country’s updated Basic Energy Plan, which will set out what role nuclear will play in the power generation mix by 2030. Three options are under consideration ranging from a low of zero coverage to a high of 25% (see LNGWM, Jun ’12). Further complicating the process, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is likely to call a snap election for November. According to the polls, Noda’s Democratic Party of Japan may not fare well in this contest, potentially setting the stage for Japan to get its seventh premier in five years. Download here