Energy diversification is essential for Japan
Public resistance to nuclear power is a hurdle to overcome for Japan to meet its energy targets
Six years on from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, the impact is still being felt in the energy sector. Of the 42 nuclear reactors in the island nation, 12 have passed safety reviews and three of those are already back in operation, at a total capacity of 2,670MW, while the other nine are being prepared to go back online. However, three out of nine units that were approved will need more time before they can go online. But two obstacles remain. Once the government has signed them off, the nuclear reactors must still get approval from local authorities—and public opposition remains strong. A recent nationwide survey found almost 60% of the public are st
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
