Latest news with #American-Japanese
Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Construction of modular nuclear reactors set to start at Darlington station with total cost of $21B
Construction on the first of four small modular reactors at a nuclear station east of Toronto is set to begin this year with the entire project costing $21 billion. The first reactor at the site of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station should be completed by 2030, officials said. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Ontario Power Generation's plan last month to build the first of four reactors. 'We're breaking ground on a project that when complete will produce power for 1.2 million homes, 1,200 megawatts of power,' said Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The project will create 18,000 jobs, including 3,700 highly skilled jobs. Lecce said 80 per cent of the spending on the entire project will go to Ontario companies that are providing skilled workers to build the new reactors. 'Our workers, our welders, our boilermakers, our heavy equipment operators will build this project with Canadian steel, Canadian concrete, and Canadian innovation,' he said. Once built, the small nuclear reactors will operate for 65 years, the province said. OPG selected GE Hitachi's small modular reactor technology. The American-Japanese company has its headquarters in the United States. Small modular reactors are smaller-than-usual nuclear reactors that are sometimes considered safer due to their size. They can operate individually or as part of a larger nuclear complex, depending on their location's energy requirements. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said it's a real gamble during an ongoing trade war with the United States. 'I think it's irresponsible for the government to be bringing in an SMR with U.S. technology that's going to lock us into needing enriched U.S. uranium to have it work,' Schreiner said. The province's nuclear generator fleet are CANDU reactors that do no need enriched uranium, but the SMR technology does. The Independent Electricity System Operator said last year that electricity demand is expected to increase 75 per cent by 2050. The moves are part of a larger push from Lecce to rely more heavily on nuclear generation to power the province's growing electricity demands. The plan also includes exploring a new, large-scale plant at Bruce Power in Tiverton, Ont., considering a new nuclear plant near Port Hope, Ont., and refurbishing units at the Pickering nuclear plant to extend its lifespan. Lecce is also bullish on exporting Ontario's nuclear know-how abroad. The province has signed agreements worth more than $1 billion with companies in Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic. Those agreements will see Canadian companies and workers build and operate reactors oversees, his office said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Observer
08-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Ontario to build four small nuclear reactors costing $21 billion
Construction on the first of four small modular reactors at a nuclear station east of Toronto is set to begin this year with the entire project costing $21 billion. The first reactor at the site of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station should be completed by 2030, officials said. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Ontario Power Generation's plan last month to build the first of four reactors. "We're breaking ground on a project that, when complete, will produce power for 1.2 million homes, 1,200 megawatts of power," said Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. The project will create 18,000 jobs, including 3,700 highly skilled jobs. Lecce said 80 per cent of the spending on the entire project will go to Ontario companies that are providing skilled workers to build the new reactors. "Our workers, our welders, our boilermakers, our heavy equipment operators will build this project with Canadian steel, Canadian concrete, and Canadian innovation," he said. Construction on the first of four small modular reactors at a nuclear station east of Toronto is set to begin this year with the entire project costing $21 billion. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Ontario Power Generation's plan last Once built, the small nuclear reactors will operate for 65 years, the province said. OPG selected GE Hitachi's small modular reactor technology. The American-Japanese company has its headquarters in the United States. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said it's a real gamble during an ongoing trade war with the United States. "I think it's irresponsible for the government to be bringing in an SMR with U.S. technology that's going to lock us into needing enriched U.S. uranium to have it work," Schreiner said. The province's nuclear generator fleet is CANDU reactors that do not need enriched uranium, but the SMR technology does. The Independent Electricity System Operator said last year that electricity demand is expected to increase 75 per cent by 2050. The moves are part of a larger push by Lecce to rely more heavily on nuclear generation to power the province's growing electricity demands. The plan also includes exploring a new, large-scale plant at Bruce Power in Tiverton, Ont., considering a new nuclear plant near Port Hope, Ont., and refurbishing units at the Pickering nuclear plant to extend its lifespan. Lecce is also bullish on exporting Ontario's nuclear know-how abroad. The province has signed agreements worth more than $1 billion with companies in Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
More Japanese embracing foreign rice, even before it became a tariff topic
TOKYO - When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: he switched to an American variety. The price of the Californian Calrose rice he buys has doubled since his first purchase last summer, but even so it's far cheaper than home-grown grains. "Unless domestic prices fall below Calrose prices, I don't plan to switch back," said Hirano, whose restaurant offers meal sets of fish, rice, soup and sides. His willingness to embrace foreign rice may presage a seismic change in mindset for Japanese businesses and consumers - one that could allow Tokyo leeway to relax some restrictions if rice becomes a thorny topic in tariff talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called out Japan's high levies on its staple grain. Wholesale prices for domestic rice have surged about 70% over the past year to hit their highest levels since current records began in 2006. Crops were hit by extreme heat while a tourism boom has added to demand. Worries abound that not much will change this year. With inflation also raising the cost of living, businesses are now betting that a nation of people known for their discerning palates and pride in their staple grain is open to change. Supermarket giant Aeon last week began selling an 80-20 American-Japanese blend that's about 10% cheaper than domestic rice after a test sales-run proved a hit. Fast-food chain Matsuya and restaurant operator Colowide began serving pure American rice this year. At supermarket chain Seiyu, Taiwanese rice has been flying off the shelves since last year. It's a sharp contrast to 1993, when the Thai rice the Japanese government imported during an acute shortage was largely shunned, leaving supermarkets with piles of unsold bags. Rare shortages aside, for most of the past six decades, nearly all of Japan's so-called staple rice - which is consumed at meals as opposed to rice used for feed or ingredients in other products - has been home-grown. There hasn't been much need for imports while high tariffs, put in place to ensure Japanese self-sufficiency for its most basic food, have protected local farmers from competition. Japan limits tariff-free "minimum access" imports of staple rice to 100,000 metric tons a year, or around 1% of total consumption. The U.S. accounted for roughly 60% of that amount last fiscal year, trailed by Australia, Thailand and Taiwan. Anything above that is subject to a levy of 341 yen per kilogramme. When Trump announced sweeping tariffs on much of the world this month, he lambasted Japan for what he said was a 700% tariff on rice, a reference to that levy. Japanese policymakers called his remarks on the sensitive topic "regrettable". They also dispute the 700% figure, saying it's based on outdated international rice prices. It's unclear, however, just how much - if at all - rice will be discussed in bilateral tariff negotiations that began this week. Some analysts think Trump's Republican administration might not be focused on rice as exports to Japan come from California, a Democratic-leaning state. Nor is it clear how much Japan might be willing to yield in opening up its rice market. In one sign that there might be room for some change, a panel advising the finance ministry on Tuesday proposed expanding imports of staple rice, saying that lifting the 100,000-ton tariff-free cap could help stabilise supply. That said, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party is unlikely to risk angering farmers, traditionally a strong support base, ahead of upper house elections in July. "It's not possible to make big concessions on rice just before the elections," said Junichi Sugawara, senior fellow at Tokyo-based Owls Consulting Group. MORE IMPORTS TO COME What is clear is that supply remains an issue. In the financial year that ended in March, tariff-free imports of staple rice hit Japan's 100,000-ton cap for the first time in seven years. The amount of tariffed imports, while still tiny, also jumped, quadrupling in the first 11 months of fiscal 2024 to just under 1,500 tons. And this year, rice importer Kanematsu is shipping in its first large-scale purchase of American staple rice, 10,000 tons worth. "We're receiving many enquiries from the restaurant industry, convenience stores, supermarkets and rice wholesalers," a Kanematsu spokesperson said. In the week to April 6, Japanese supermarket rice prices hit an average of 4,214 yen ($29.65) per 5 kg, marking their 14th straight week of increase and more than double the same period a year earlier. That's despite a rare release of rice from the government's emergency stockpiles that started last month and is set to continue every month through July. As for the quality and taste of imported rice, Miki Nihei, a customer at Hirano's restaurant, Shokudou Arata, said she had no complaints and was surprised to learn it wasn't Japanese. "I had no idea," she said. "I have no qualms about eating imported rice. Prices have gone up, so I'm always looking for cheaper options." ($1 = 142.1300 yen)
Japan Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
More Japanese embracing foreign rice, even before it became a tariff topic
When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: He switched to an American variety. The price of the Californian Calrose rice he buys has doubled since his first purchase last summer, but even so, it's far cheaper than home-grown grains. "Unless domestic prices fall below Calrose prices, I don't plan to switch back," said Hirano, whose restaurant offers meal sets of fish, rice, soup and sides. His willingness to embrace foreign rice may presage a seismic change in mindset for Japanese businesses and consumers — one that could allow Tokyo leeway to relax some restrictions if rice becomes a thorny topic in tariff talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called out Japan's high levies on its staple grain. Wholesale prices for domestic rice have surged about 70% over the past year to hit their highest levels since current records began in 2006. Crops were hit by extreme heat, while a tourism boom has added to demand. Worries abound that not much will change this year. With inflation also raising the cost of living, businesses are now betting that a nation of people known for their discerning palates and pride in their staple grain is open to change. Supermarket giant Aeon last week began selling an 80-20 American-Japanese blend that's about 10% cheaper than domestic rice after a test sales-run proved a hit. Fast-food chain Matsuya and restaurant operator Colowide began serving pure American rice this year. At supermarket chain Seiyu, Taiwanese rice has been flying off the shelves since last year. Customers eat cooked California-grown Calrose rice and side dishes at Shokudou Arata, a restaurant in Tokyo. | Reuters It's a sharp contrast to 1993, when the Thai rice the Japanese government imported during an acute shortage was largely shunned, leaving supermarkets with piles of unsold bags. Rare shortages aside, for most of the past six decades, nearly all of what is known as Japan's staple rice — which is consumed at meals as opposed to rice used for feed or ingredients in other products — has been home-grown. There hasn't been much need for imports while high tariffs, put in place to ensure Japanese self-sufficiency for its most basic food, have protected local farmers from competition. Japan limits tariff-free "minimum access" imports of staple rice to 100,000 metric tons a year, or around 1% of total consumption. The U.S. accounted for roughly 60% of that amount last fiscal year, trailed by Australia, Thailand and Taiwan. Anything above that is subject to a levy of ¥341 per kilogram. When Trump announced sweeping tariffs on much of the world this month, he lambasted Japan for what he said was a 700% tariff on rice, a reference to that levy. Japanese policymakers called his remarks on the sensitive topic "regrettable." They also dispute the 700% figure, saying it's based on outdated international rice prices. It's unclear, however, just how much — if at all — rice will be discussed in bilateral tariff negotiations that began this week. Some analysts think Trump's Republican administration might not be focused on rice as exports to Japan come from California, a Democratic-leaning state. Nor is it clear how much Japan might be willing to yield in opening up its rice market. In one sign that there might be room for some change, a panel advising the Finance Ministry on Tuesday proposed expanding imports of staple rice, saying that lifting the 100,000-ton tariff-free cap could help stabilize supply. That said, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party is unlikely to risk angering farmers, traditionally a strong support base, ahead of Upper House elections in July. "It's not possible to make big concessions on rice just before the elections," said Junichi Sugawara, senior fellow at Tokyo-based Owls Consulting Group. What is clear is that supply remains an issue. In the fiscal year that ended in March, tariff-free imports of staple rice hit Japan's 100,000-ton cap for the first time in seven years. The amount of tariffed imports, while still tiny, also jumped, quadrupling in the first 11 months of fiscal 2024 to just under 1,500 tons. And this year, rice importer Kanematsu is shipping in its first large-scale purchase of American staple rice, 10,000 tons' worth. "We're receiving many inquiries from the restaurant industry, convenience stores, supermarkets and rice wholesalers," a Kanematsu spokesperson said. In the week to April 6, Japanese supermarket rice prices hit an average of ¥4,214 ($29.65) per 5 kg, marking their 14th straight week of increase and more than double the same period a year earlier. That's despite a rare release of rice from the government's emergency stockpiles that started last month and is set to continue every month through July. As for the quality and taste of imported rice, Miki Nihei, a customer at Hirano's restaurant, Shokudou Arata, said she had no complaints and was surprised to learn it wasn't Japanese. "I had no idea," she said. "I have no qualms about eating imported rice. Prices have gone up, so I'm always looking for cheaper options."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis-More Japanese embracing foreign rice, even before it became a tariff topic
By Kaori Kaneko and Chang-Ran Kim TOKYO (Reuters) - When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: he switched to an American variety. The price of the Californian Calrose rice he buys has doubled since his first purchase last summer, but even so it's far cheaper than home-grown grains. "Unless domestic prices fall below Calrose prices, I don't plan to switch back," said Hirano, whose restaurant offers meal sets of fish, rice, soup and sides. His willingness to embrace foreign rice may presage a seismic change in mindset for Japanese businesses and consumers - one that could allow Tokyo leeway to relax some restrictions if rice becomes a thorny topic in tariff talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called out Japan's high levies on its staple grain. Wholesale prices for domestic rice have surged about 70% over the past year to hit their highest levels since current records began in 2006. Crops were hit by extreme heat while a tourism boom has added to demand. Worries abound that not much will change this year. With inflation also raising the cost of living, businesses are now betting that a nation of people known for their discerning palates and pride in their staple grain is open to change. Supermarket giant Aeon last week began selling an 80-20 American-Japanese blend that's about 10% cheaper than domestic rice after a test sales-run proved a hit. Fast-food chain Matsuya and restaurant operator Colowide began serving pure American rice this year. At supermarket chain Seiyu, Taiwanese rice has been flying off the shelves since last year. It's a sharp contrast to 1993, when the Thai rice the Japanese government imported during an acute shortage was largely shunned, leaving supermarkets with piles of unsold bags. Rare shortages aside, for most of the past six decades, nearly all of Japan's so-called staple rice - which is consumed at meals as opposed to rice used for feed or ingredients in other products - has been home-grown. There hasn't been much need for imports while high tariffs, put in place to ensure Japanese self-sufficiency for its most basic food, have protected local farmers from competition. Japan limits tariff-free "minimum access" imports of staple rice to 100,000 metric tons a year, or around 1% of total consumption. The U.S. accounted for roughly 60% of that amount last fiscal year, trailed by Australia, Thailand and Taiwan. Anything above that is subject to a levy of 341 yen per kilogramme. When Trump announced sweeping tariffs on much of the world this month, he lambasted Japan for what he said was a 700% tariff on rice, a reference to that levy. Japanese policymakers called his remarks on the sensitive topic "regrettable". They also dispute the 700% figure, saying it's based on outdated international rice prices. It's unclear, however, just how much - if at all - rice will be discussed in bilateral tariff negotiations that began this week. Some analysts think Trump's Republican administration might not be focused on rice as exports to Japan come from California, a Democratic-leaning state. Nor is it clear how much Japan might be willing to yield in opening up its rice market. In one sign that there might be room for some change, a panel advising the finance ministry on Tuesday proposed expanding imports of staple rice, saying that lifting the 100,000-ton tariff-free cap could help stabilise supply. That said, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party is unlikely to risk angering farmers, traditionally a strong support base, ahead of upper house elections in July. "It's not possible to make big concessions on rice just before the elections," said Junichi Sugawara, senior fellow at Tokyo-based Owls Consulting Group. MORE IMPORTS TO COME What is clear is that supply remains an issue. In the financial year that ended in March, tariff-free imports of staple rice hit Japan's 100,000-ton cap for the first time in seven years. The amount of tariffed imports, while still tiny, also jumped, quadrupling in the first 11 months of fiscal 2024 to just under 1,500 tons. And this year, rice importer Kanematsu is shipping in its first large-scale purchase of American staple rice, 10,000 tons worth. "We're receiving many enquiries from the restaurant industry, convenience stores, supermarkets and rice wholesalers," a Kanematsu spokesperson said. In the week to April 6, Japanese supermarket rice prices hit an average of 4,214 yen ($29.65) per 5 kg, marking their 14th straight week of increase and more than double the same period a year earlier. That's despite a rare release of rice from the government's emergency stockpiles that started last month and is set to continue every month through July. As for the quality and taste of imported rice, Miki Nihei, a customer at Hirano's restaurant, Shokudou Arata, said she had no complaints and was surprised to learn it wasn't Japanese. "I had no idea," she said. "I have no qualms about eating imported rice. Prices have gone up, so I'm always looking for cheaper options." ($1 = 142.1300 yen) Sign in to access your portfolio
