Should Japan Continue To Use Nuclear Power? Group 6: 1)Alfredo Guevara, 2)Yeh Sheng-Hsiung, 3)Goh Hui Koon, 4)Yu-Hui Chen, 5)Jin-Hung Lin

How Nuclear Plant is Working? 2

Why Japan is using nuclear power?  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 This came under review following the 2011 Fukushima accident but has been confirmed. 3

Advantages of Nuclear Power  Nuclear power plants don't require a lot of space They do not need a large plot like a wind farm. But they have to be built near a large body of water for cooling purposes - using the water as a heat sink. They are usually found on the coast so there is no risk to drinking water sources.  Nuclear power stations do not contribute to carbon emissions, produce smoke particles to pollute the atmosphere or emit gases that contribute to acid rain  Nuclear energy is by far the most concentrated form of energy  Nuclear power is reliable. It does not depend on the weather.  We can control the output from a nuclear power station to fit our needs. Nuclear power produces a small volume of waste (although that waste is radioactive - see below) 4

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power  Disposal of nuclear waste is very expensive.  Decommissioning of nuclear power stations is expensive and takes a long time. (In fact we have not yet decommissioned one!)  Nuclear accidents can spread 'radiation producing particles' over a wide area 5

Nuclear power policy in Japan( ) Focus on nuclear Japan's energy policy has been driven by considerations of energy security and the need to minimize dependence on current imports. The main elements regarding nuclear power were:  nuclear power as a major element of electricity production.  steadily develop fast breeder reactors in order to improve uranium utilization dramatically.  promote nuclear energy to the public, emphasizing safety and non- proliferation. 6

Nuclear Plants In Japan  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  Currently 43 reactors are operable and potentially able to restart, and 24 of these are in the process of restart approvals ( after Fukushima disaster). 7

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Fukushima disaster (1/2) Occurring by Tsunami Evacuation  a prohibited access area out to 3 km  an on-alert area 3–20 km  an evacuation prepared area 20–30 km.  354,000 were evacuated 9

Fukushima disaster (2/2) 10

What has happened since the 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdowns? On 11 March, 2011, a massive offshore earthquake triggered a tsunami disrupted cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi plant and resulted in fuel and core meltdowns. Evacuation of more than 100,000 people from surrounding areas sparked a national debate about nuclear power caused the shutdown of all 54 of Japan’s nuclear reactors while new regulations and policies were formulated 11

What has happened since the 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdowns?  Public opinion has flipped ＊ 70 percent of respondents poll to end nuclear power ＊ Most Japanese citizens support a plan by the Democratic Party of Japan, to phase out nuclear power by the 2030s.  The meltdowns’ victims have stayed in the news  Public mistrust toward the government and the nuclear industry remains  district court halts restart of two reactors in blow to nuclear sector 12

An aerial view shows No. 4 (front L), No. 3 (front R), No. 2 (rear L) and No. 1 reactor buildings at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama nuclear power plant in Takahama town, Fukui prefecture, in this photo taken by Kyodo, November 27, REUTERS/Kyodo 13

General aerial view of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO)'s tsunami- crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture, taken by Kyodo March 11, Wednesday marks the fourth year anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis. REUTERS/Kyodo 14

Protesters raise their fists at a freighter, as it arrives at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama nuclear power plant in Takahama town, Fukui prefecture, in this photo taken by Kyodo, June 27, REUTERS/Kyodo 15

The Abe administration is pushing nuclear power  the Liberal Democratic Party under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, released its target nuclear power supply for 2030  The government’s new energy-mix targets for 2030 call for nuclear power to provide about 20 percent of electricity which translates to about 29 reactors.  Twenty-four of Japan’s 43 operable reactors have applied for restart since the Nuclear Regulation Authority(NRA) began accepting applications in July

The Abe administration is pushing nuclear power Pro-nuclear advocates offer several justifications  Japan’s increased use of imported fossil fuels while the nuclear reactors are shut down.  meet the country’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and the goals of lowering carbon dioxide emissions.  achieving energy supply security and keeping electricity costs low for corporations.  Business organizations such as Keidanren have supported the nuclear restarts. 17

Will nuclear power return? If the Liberal Democratic Party intends to achieve the nuclear power goal  It must work to rebuild trust in it and Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco)  mitigate the anger among many Japanese about the decades of promises made about the safety of nuclear power  resolve extensive technical challenges it will face cleanup and decommissioning. 18

Thank You 19

After Fukushima disaster (2011)….  Japan has just announced plans to phase out nuclear power by The announcement was made by issuing a "policy goal", which is not binding on future governments and which a new government administration could reverse.announced The new energy policy aims to  shut down reactors that are more than 40 years old,  not issue new licenses for reactor construction  restart existing reactors only if they pass standards issued by the new Nuclear Regulatory Agency  introduced for solar and wind power  green energy policy framework 20