Story perspectives

Japan Targets 14 New Reactors by 2050, Doubling Nuclear Share

6/6/2026

Summary

Japan Plans Replacement

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced a plan to replace up to 14 nuclear reactors by the 2050s.
The draft targets replacing up to five reactors by the 2040s and 14 by the 2050s.
Japan’s industry forecasts a 5.5-million-kilowatt shortfall by the 2040s, equal to five reactors.
The ministry said nuclear power would meet about 20 percent of Japan’s demand, up from under 10 percent now.
The government hopes reviving nuclear energy will cut fossil-fuel use and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Officials presented the plan to a ministry panel on Friday; ministers will review it this summer.

Summary

Japan Drafts Target

On June 5, a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry council presented a draft setting first numerical nuclear-reactor replacement target since the March 2011 Fukushima disaster.
The plan’s credibility is weakened by Chubu Electric Power’s admission of data manipulation during Hamaoka safety screenings, requiring restored public trust and tighter oversight before 2040-2050 goals.
The draft will be reviewed this summer, with ministries expected to propose safety-oversight reforms before final approval.

Summary

Japan Boosts Nuclear

The Strait of Hormuz crisis and volatile LNG prices revived pro-nuclear sentiment among Japanese policymakers, prompting a roadmap.
The roadmap aims for nuclear power to supply 20 % of electricity by fiscal year 2040 to curb imports.
Japan currently gets 60-70 % of its electricity from imported coal, oil and gas.
Industry forecasts a 5.5-million-kilowatt shortfall by 2040 and says rising construction costs hinder building all 11-14 reactors planned.

History

Historical Context

After the March 2011 magnitude-9.0 Tohoku quake and tsunami caused the Fukushima Daiichi meltdowns, TEPCO shut all reactors and Japan’s nuclear share fell below 1%, pushing fossil-fuel electricity to about 94 % by 2015 and incurring roughly 20 trillion yen in costs. In 2024 METI’s draft to replace up to 14 reactors by the 2050s follows IAEA-led safety reforms and Chubu Electric’s advocacy.

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Japan Plans Replacement

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced a plan to replace up to 14 nuclear reactors by the 2050s.
The draft targets replacing up to five reactors by the 2040s and 14 by the 2050s.
Japan’s industry forecasts a 5.5-million-kilowatt shortfall by the 2040s, equal to five reactors.
The ministry said nuclear power would meet about 20 percent of Japan’s demand, up from under 10 percent now.
The government hopes reviving nuclear energy will cut fossil-fuel use and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Officials presented the plan to a ministry panel on Friday; ministers will review it this summer.

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