Key facts
- Japan plans to replace up to 14 nuclear reactors by the 2050s.
- Two to five reactors are slated for rebuilding by the 2040s.
- The plan aims to secure electricity supply amidst rising demand and geopolitical risks.
- This represents a policy reversal after closing all reactors post-2011 Fukushima disaster.
Japan's government is planning to replace up to 14 nuclear reactors by the 2050s, with two to five of these scheduled for rebuilding by the 2040s. This decision, announced by the country's economy ministry, is aimed at securing the nation's electricity supply in response to rising domestic demand and increasing geopolitical risks, such as those highlighted by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and LNG price volatility. This move signifies a significant policy shift for Japan, which had previously closed all its nuclear reactors following the 2011 Fukushima disaster and attempted to transition to other energy sources.