Today's Close-Up S2022E31 - Turning Back to Nuclear Power? ― Debate Over Japan's Energy Mix

Electricity bills are soaring due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and for other reasons. Partly in response, the Japanese government has said it wants to extend the operational life of existing nuclear power plants and increase the number of reactors. This is despite declaring after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster that it would not consider such a policy. With Japan aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, the policy shift has pros and cons for its citizens. We invited experts from both sides of the debate to discuss the merits of turning back to nuclear power.

Guests:
Yamaguchi Akira (Director, Nuclear Safety Research Association / Chair, Nuclear Energy Subcommittee, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Oshima Kenichi (Professor, Ryukoku University / Chairperson, Citizens' Commission on Nuclear Energy)