https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/28/national/nuke-power-poll/ [japantimes] It looks like you're using an ad blocker. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Thank you for supporting our journalism. * * PRINT SUBSCRIBERS | * SUBSCRIBE | * Login * My Account * * * weather icon 11 M/CLOUDY TOKYO (4 a.m.) TODAY'S PRINT EDITION The Japan Times The Japan Times * Login * SUBSCRIBE * My Account * PRINT SUBSCRIBERS [?] * (FREE ARTICLE) * * MENU * Search * News * Opinion * Life * Community * Culture * Sports * City Guide * Support * Search Search [ ] [Search] * National * Asia Pacific * Business * World * Reference * Multimedia * News + National + World + Business + Asia Pacific + Reference + Columns + Multimedia * Opinion + Editorials + Commentary + Cartoons * Life + Travel + Digital + Food & Drink + Environment + Style & Design + Language + Lifestyle + People + Columns + Multimedia * Community + Voices + Issues + Our Lives + Event listings + How-tos + Columns * Culture + Film + Music + Art + Stage + Events + Festivals + Books + TV + Columns + Multimedia * Sports + Rugby + Baseball + Soccer + Basketball + Sumo + Figure Skating + Tennis + More Sports + Columns + Multimedia * City Guide + Restaurants + Places * Support + About us + Faqs National Majority in Japan backs nuclear power for first time since Fukushima Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https:// www.enable-javascript.com/ * Storage tanks for contaminated water at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture | AFP-JIJI Storage tanks for contaminated water at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture | AFP-JIJI * * Bloomberg * * * SHARE * Mar 28, 2022 For the first time in more than a decade, a narrow majority in Japan now supports restarting idled nuclear reactors, according to a poll in the country's top business newspaper. The survey result marks the first time since the Fukushima disaster in 2011 that an increasing role for nuclear energy has been favored. It comes amid surging power prices and warnings of electricity shortages in Tokyo. Some 53% of people said nuclear reactors should restart if safety can be ensured, while 38% said they should remain shut, according to the poll conducted by the Nikkei. That's up from 44% support for the restarts in a similar survey in September. The newspaper has been conducting semiregular polls on the issue for more than a decade. Japanese public opinion moved decisively against atomic power after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami resulted in the meltdown of three reactors at Fukushima, with most of the country's operable nuclear reactors remaining shut. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed up energy prices globally, however, and a recent tremor in Japan took several gas- and coal-fired plants offline, leading to the first-ever electricity supply alert for Tokyo. "There is a strong tailwind for nuclear power at this moment," Nobuo Tanaka, a former executive director of the International Energy Agency, said in an interview Monday. If Japan restarts nuclear, the country's utilities could resell spare liquefied natural gas to Europe, he said. Japan is the world's second-biggest LNG importer, so a revival in atomic power there would have a big impact on global gas markets. Countries from South Korea to Belgium have been reassessing the role of nuclear to help speed the transition away from fossil fuels, with the war in Europe making atomic power look even more attractive. Only 10 nuclear reactors have been restarted under post-Fukushima safety rules, but Japan's 2030 energy goals requires nearly all 33 of them to be back online eventually. A small group of politicians from both the ruling party and opposition are calling for this to happen faster, but the restarts face hurdles including getting local government approval and a formal safety nod from the national regulator. * * * In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. SUBSCRIBE NOW PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE) * Storage tanks for contaminated water at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture | AFP-JIJI KEYWORDS fukushima, surveys, nuclear energy With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ * WHAT'S TRENDING * EDITORS' PICKS * Russia begins large-scale military drill on disputed islands off Japan The island of Kunashir, one of four islands known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, is seen in December 2016.The island of Kunashir, one of four islands known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, is seen in December 2016. * Experts see China stuck in a slowly evolving 'COVID zero' loop A COVID-19 testing site outside a hotel in Wuzhou, in China's Guangxi autonomous region, on ThursdayA COVID-19 testing site outside a hotel in Wuzhou, in China's Guangxi autonomous region, on Thursday * What happens in Russia if Putin can't win in Ukraine? The war in Ukraine will eventually end. And when it does, the world should concern itself with Russia's trajectory as it is big and powerful enough that what transpires there could impact the overall health and well being of the international order.The war in Ukraine will eventually end. And when it does, the world should concern itself with Russia's trajectory as it is big and powerful enough that what transpires there could impact the overall health and well being of the international order. * Kishida voices 'serious concern' over Russian nuclear threat in visit to Hiroshima with U.S. envoy U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel lays a wreath at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks on.U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel lays a wreath at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks on. * Azov Regiment takes center stage in Ukraine propaganda war Servicemen of the Azov Regiment and Ukrainian National Guard march through the city of Mariupol as they take part in a parade to mark the fifth anniversary of city's liberation from Russian-backed rebels on June 15, 2019.Servicemen of the Azov Regiment and Ukrainian National Guard march through the city of Mariupol as they take part in a parade to mark the fifth anniversary of city's liberation from Russian-backed rebels on June 15, 2019. * As key goods grow more expensive, 'demand destruction' threatens global recession Thumbnail image * Honda's Asimo robot to retire after 20-year career wowing the public Thumbnail image * Will Smith smacks Chris Rock on stage, then apologizes after winning Oscar Thumbnail image * Black boxes may unlock secrets of jet's mystery plunge in China Thumbnail image * Rishiri Island is a backcountry skiing paradise, as long as there's a break in the weather Thumbnail image PODCAST * DEEP DIVE One month into war, a Ukrainian family reunites in Japan * SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS[icon_note] Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. Guang Gao Chu Gao niGuan suruotoiawasehakochiramade Read more SUPPLEMENTS BINDER international-reports * Bridges by SMS + * Global Insight * GMI Post + * World Eye Reports Return to The Japan Times top page JT Digital Archives The Japan Times Alpha Study in Japan JT for Women JT Bookclub Japanese School Directory The Japan Times Jobs * SUBSCRIBE * NEWSLETTERS * ePaper Edition * * * * News + National + World + Business + Asia Pacific + Reference + Columns + Multimedia * Opinion + Editorials + Commentary + Cartoons * Life + Travel + Digital + Food & Drink + Environment + Style & Design + Language + Lifestyle + People + Columns + Multimedia * Community + Voices + Issues + Our Lives + Event listings + How-tos + Columns * Culture + Film + Music + Art + Stage + Events + Festivals + Books + TV + Columns + Multimedia * Sports + Rugby + Baseball + Soccer + Basketball + Sumo + Figure Skating + Tennis + More Sports + Columns + Multimedia * City Guide + Restaurants + Places * Support + About us + Faqs * About us * Contact us * Privacy Policy * Link Policy * Reprints * FAQs * Support * Announcements * Press * Sitemap * Advertise The Japan Times LTD. All rights reserved. The Japan Times