'Have You Forgotten Fukushima?' Controversy Over Japan's 40-Year-Old Nuclear Plant Operation... Collapsing 'Nuclear Phase-Out' Policy

Dismissal of Injunction Request to Halt Mihama Nuclear Plant Operation
Kishida Administration Shifts from 'Nuclear Zero' to 'Nuclear Reconstruction'

Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3. (Source=Kansai Electric Power Group)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The Japanese government is stirring controversy by effectively approving the operation of aging nuclear power plants that have exceeded the 40-year operational limit for the first time since the Fukushima nuclear accident. Although there are voices of criticism within Japan saying that the "Fukushima accident has been forgotten," the existing anti-nuclear policy is losing ground amid power supply instability caused by soaring energy prices and a growing trade deficit.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 22nd, the Osaka District Court dismissed a provisional injunction request filed by a civic group on the 20th to halt the operation of Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 in Fukui Prefecture. Mihama Unit 3 began operation in 1976 and has exceeded the 40-year operational limit, making it the oldest nuclear power plant currently operating in Japan.

Japanese civic groups have demanded the suspension of operations, citing the aging facilities and insufficient seismic design, but the court ruled that "it is difficult to see any problems with the seismic safety of the plant," and dismissed the request. As a result, criticism is emerging that the principle of limiting nuclear plant operation to 40 years after the Fukushima Daiichi accident has been broken.

Previously, the Japanese government had limited the operational lifespan of nuclear plants to 40 years following the Fukushima Daiichi accident, with an exception allowing a one-time extension of up to 20 years after review by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. Mihama Unit 3 also exceeded the 40-year limit and was shut down, but after review, it resumed operation in June last year.

With the collapse of the operational lifespan limit principle, the Japanese government’s anti-nuclear stance established after the Fukushima accident is effectively considered broken. The Constitutional Democratic Party, which was the ruling party at the time of the accident, temporarily halted nuclear operations and even proposed a "zero nuclear power" policy, but the Kishida administration has abandoned this and is moving forward with extending operational lifespans. In fact, at the end of last month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced an "action plan" to rebuild decommissioned nuclear plants and expand the operational lifespan limit, which is currently capped at 60 years. The final plan is expected to be confirmed by the end of the year.

There are also voices of criticism saying that the Japanese government has "forgotten the Fukushima accident" amid these moves. The Tokyo Shimbun pointed out, "The 40-year operational limit was a law born out of reflection on the Fukushima accident. Can we afford to neglect it so carelessly?"

Furthermore, controversy over aging nuclear plants is expected to continue as four additional nuclear reactors in Japan recently received approval for a 20-year operational extension. Nikkei reported, "Among Japan’s 33 nuclear reactors, four?including Takahama Units 1 and 2, which are close to 40 years old?have been approved for a 20-year extension."

Despite domestic and international criticism, analysts say the Japanese government’s move to abandon the anti-nuclear stance is closely related to Japan’s current economic situation, including worsening power supply issues and trade deficits. In June, Japan experienced a surge in power demand due to abnormal temperatures but faced supply instability due to soaring oil and gas prices.

The large-scale trade deficit, exacerbated by rising energy prices and the weak yen, is also pressuring the Japanese government. According to trade statistics (preliminary figures) released by the Ministry of Finance on the 15th, exports in November increased by 20.0% year-on-year to 8.8375 trillion yen, while imports rose by 30.3% to 10.8649 trillion yen.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.