From Backbone to Minimalization : Japan's Nuclear Trend in the Post-Fukushima era

Abstract

This thesis aims to contribute to further discussions on the future direction of energy policy in Japan by presenting an analysis of Japans energy mix in the post-Fukushima era from 2011 to 2016 and examining what changes have been made in national energy policies under the government led by three prime ministers

Kan Naoto (2010-2011), Noda Yoshihiko (2011-2012) and Shinzo Abe (2012-present). As the Fukushima accident came as a great shock to the whole nation, the Japanese government decided a radical shift from a nuclear-reliant society to a nuclear-free society. However the country soon faced with a huge cost of electricity shortfall with nuclear absence which resulted in a ballooning trade deficit due to a sharp increase in imported fuels. Experiencing the biggest trade deficits in the following years, Prime Minister Abe decided to use a nuclear card to revive the Japanese economy. Japans trade performance after restarting nuclear reactors in 2015 proves that the use of nuclear power is inevitable for the country to ensure a stable supply of inexpensive electricity for the time being. However strong oppositions to a nuclear return from the majority of the Japanese public have been contributing to a rather slow progress in restarting nuclear reactors for the past few years. Anti-nuclear sentiment will continue as long as painful memories of the catastrophic nuclear disaster at the Fukushima linger with the Japanese society. The Japanese government will continue to confront a long-term challenge to keep nuclear energy to a minimum, and at the same time, to meet electricity demands through enhanced energy security.