Should Japan Continue to Use Nuclear Power? GROUP 8 Nancy, Jefrey, Alice

Nuclear Power in Japan  Japan needs to import about 84% of its energy requirements.  High cost of energy produce(30% energy produce is nuclear power).  Japan is the fourth Nuclear Power produce country.(the U.S.A, France, Swissland)

 Japan’s shortage of minerals and energy was a powerful influence on its politics and history in the 20th century.  As it recovered from World War II and rapidly expanded its industrial base it was dependent on fossil fuel imports, particularly oil from the Middle East (oil fuelled 66% of the electricity in 1974).  Due to the oil shock in At this time, Japan already had a growing nuclear industry. > A major nuclear construction program.  A high priority was given to reducing the country's dependence on oil imports. A closed fuel cycle was adopted to gain maximum benefit from imported uranium. Japan's energy needs

 Nuclear power has been expected to play an even bigger role in Japan's future. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) :Cool Earth 50 energy innovative technology plan in 2008, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) modelled a 54% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050,leading on to a 90% reduction by  Lead to nuclear energy contributing about 60% of primary energy in 2100, 10% from renewables and 30% fossil fuels.  In June 2010 METI resolved to increase energy self- sufficiency to 70% by 2030, for both energy security and CO2 emission reduction. Nuclear power would play a big part in implementing the plan.

More recent energy policy : Focus on nuclear Japan's energy policy has been driven by considerations of energy security and the need to minimise dependence on current imports. The main elements regarding nuclear power were:  continue to have nuclear power as a major element of electricity production.  recycle uranium and plutonium from used fuel, and have reprocessing domestically.  steadily develop fast breeder reactors in order to improve uranium utilisation dramatically.  promote nuclear energy to the public, emphasising safety and non-proliferation.

Fukushima accident

 Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accidents, China, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Malaysia, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the Philippines are reviewing their nuclear power programs.Fukushima nuclear accidents

 In October 2011 the government published a White Paper proposing that “Japan’s dependency on nuclear energy will be reduced as much as possible in the medium- range and long-range future.  Early in 2011, nuclear energy accounted for almost 30% of the country's total electricity production. There were plans to increase this to 41% by 2017, and 50% by  Try to find the way to increase renewable energy to instead of nuclear power after Fukushima accident. Post-Fukushima energy policy changes, 2011 on

 METI estimated that power generation costs would rise by over JPY 3 trillion ($37 billion) per year, if utilities replaced nuclear energy with thermal power generation.  In February 2012 METI's minister said that electricity costs would need to increase up to 15% while the nuclear plants remained shut.  Problem: 1.trade deficit, cost of energy produce, energy price keep going up 2.losing the international competitiveness. Effect Japan’s Economy strictly.

 In , Japan’s cabinet (Abe) approved energy plan reinstating nuclear power.  Poll: 80% of Japan against restart of nuclear plants. Should Japan Continue to Use Nuclear Power?

Geothermal: Renewable Energy  Due to its close proximity to the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc, a convergent boundary of four tectonic plates in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Japan is ideally located for geothermal activity.  Three Japanese industrial concerns - Toshiba, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fuji Electric have a combined total of over half the world market for geothermal turbines  As of 2011, 536 MW Installed Capacity, 0.3% National Energy Production  A new geothermal plant in Kumamoto Prefecture this April 2014, Japan’s first geothermal power plant opened since 1999.