Should Japan Continue to Use Nuclear Power? Group6, Day4 Min-chi, Grace, Vivian, Rebecca, Thayana

Background Japan is the only country to have suffered the devastating effects of nuclear weapons in World War II, with over 100,000 deaths, Japan embraced the peaceful use of nuclear technology to provide a substantial portion of its electricity. However, following the tsunami which killed 19,000 people and which triggered the Fukushima nuclear accident (which killed no-one), public sentiment shifted markedly so that there were wide public protests calling for nuclear power to be abandoned.

Background The balance between this populist sentiment and the continuation of reliable and affordable electricity supplies is being worked out politically. particularly the lack of natural resources requiring Japan to: Import coal and liquefied natural gas in large quantities. Maintain aging nuclear power plants that remain vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Current Situation Japan needs to import about 84% of its energy requirements. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in mid-1966, and nuclear energy has been a national strategic priority since 1973. This came under review following the 2011 Fukushima accident but has been confirmed. The country's 50+ main reactors have provided some 30% of the country's electricity and this was expected to increase to at least 40% by 2017. The prospect now is for two thirds of this, from a depleted fleet.

Nuclear: what are the pros and cons Advantages Disadvantages •Clean energy Nuclear energy has the ability to produce electricity without greenhouse emissions. •Low operating cost Although nuclear power reactors are expensive to build, they are relative cheap to operate, fuel is inexpensive and a plant can be operated by few people. •Reliability Operate reliably and have a continuous output of power. This is contrast to other alternatives energies which depend on the activity of the weather. •Concentration By far the most concentrated form of energy. It can be produced in large quantities over short period of time. •Nuclear weapon threat Some reactor produce plutonium which can be used to make a nuclear weapon. It would cause a large-scale devastation. •High capital intensive It requires a high level of technology and a major initial capital investment. Its abandonment cost is very high. •Radioactive waste The spent fuel is highly radioactive and has to be carefully stored for many years after use. the waste management should be explored and developed. •Disasters, Accidents, and Risks An accident may cause a major disaster resulting in thousands of casualties and releasing high amount of radiation into environment.

Dilemma Industry minister of Japan, Yoichi Miyazawa said that： "It would be impossible to achieve all these three things simultaneously: Keep nuclear plants offline, while also trying to curb carbon dioxide and maintain the same electricity costs"

Restarted nuclear energy Currently 42 reactors are operable and potentially able to restart, and 24 of these are in the process of restart approvals. The first two restarted in August and October 2015.

Prospective

Taiwan V.S. Japan Taiwan Japan