Latest news with #Fukushima
Japan Today
2 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Survey to start for 1st new nuclear reactor since Fukushima disaster
Kansai Electric Power Co. said Tuesday that it plans to begin a geological survey to replace a nuclear reactor on the premises of its Mihama nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan coast, in what would be the first new reactor since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Currently, the No. 3 unit is the only reactor in operation at the Mihama station in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, while the other two units are set to be decommissioned. No new reactor has been built in Japan since the building of the No. 3 unit at Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s Tomari plant. The unit began operation in 2009. "We will conduct (the survey) while explaining to and seeking the cooperation of local residents," Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori said at a press conference in Osaka. A senior official of Kansai Electric also visited the Fukui prefectural office, where he met Fukui Vice Gov. Yasuhiro Nakamura, who urged the utility to "carefully explain" its plan to local residents. The town of Mihama welcomed the decision, with an assembly member and urging that the reactor be built as soon as possible. Yuki Sakimoto, a managing director at a construction company in Mihama, said that while his firm does not receive orders related to nuclear power plants, he sees benefits to hosting one, including improvements in road infrastructure. "Since there are no other industries, (the town would) financially collapse without a nuclear power plant," Sakimoto said. Meanwhile, town assembly member Takeshi Komoto said it is "unthinkable to build a new" reactor while issues such as nuclear waste remain unresolved. In 2010, Kansai Electric announced a plan to replace an aging reactor at the power station and started a survey, but the process was halted due to the nuclear disaster triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan the following year. Public sentiment turned sour over the use of nuclear power as a national source of energy following the disaster, prompting the government to repeatedly say it was not considering building new reactors or replacing existing ones. But with demand for electricity in Japan expected to increase in the future, the government and power industry have been discussing the need for a new or expanded facility to ensure a stable power supply. The government signaled a return to nuclear energy in its revised basic energy plan released in February. Due to the strict safety standards introduced by the Nuclear Regulation Authority following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the planned survey will likely have to begin from scratch. If the site is deemed suitable, Kansai Electric will need to draw up a basic design and submit it to regulators for approval before commencing construction work. The government is promoting the replacement of aging reactors with next-generation models that are deemed safer. Kansai Electric is collaborating with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and others to develop an advanced light-water reactor that is designed to be more resilient to natural disasters and terrorist attacks. © KYODO
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Japan takes first step toward new nuclear reactor post-Fukushima
TOKYO: A Japanese utility announced plans to conduct a geological survey for constructing the nation's first new nuclear reactor since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori stated the survey will assess the feasibility of replacing the aging Mihama Nuclear Power Station, marking a significant shift in Japan's energy policy. Following the 2011 tsunami and subsequent meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi, Japan shut down all nuclear reactors amid public safety concerns. However, the government has since advocated for nuclear power as a key component in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Public opinion has gradually shifted, with many reactors now back in operation. Mori emphasized Japan's limited natural resources, stating, 'It is important that nuclear power fulfils its role in the years to come.' The project, delayed since 2011, remains in early stages, with no confirmed construction timeline. Local reports estimate the new reactor could cost one trillion yen (\$6.8 billion) and take 20 years to become operational. Kansai Electric previously halted plans to replace one of Mihama's three reactors post-Fukushima. Two older reactors were retired in 2015, while the third continues operating despite nearing 50 years of service. The push for nuclear energy aligns with Japan's growing electricity demands, particularly for AI and data centres. – AFP
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt
Find out what's new on ST website and app. At about 2pm, a glass panel from the building's facade fell and cracked a secondary glass roof. SINGAPORE - A woman was evacuated from a lift at the Supreme Court building on July 22 after falling glass triggered a safety mechanism that stopped the lift from operating. According to a Singapore Courts spokesperson, at about 2pm, a glass panel from the building's facade fell and cracked a secondary glass roof. A few glass fragments fell onto the roof of a lift car, triggering a safety mechanism that forced it to grind to a halt. The woman, a staff member at the court, was trapped in one of them, and was evacuated by a lift technician. She was not injured and has resumed her duties, said the spokesperson. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received a call for assistance at 1 Supreme Court Lane, in the City Hall area, at about 2.40pm. One person was assessed for minor injuries, but declined to be taken to the hospital, the SCDF added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Asia Japan looks at building first atomic reactor since Fukushima Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The damaged section of the glass roof measured roughly 2m by 2m in area, said the Singapore Courts spokesperson. No other structural damage has been identified, and the overall structure remains intact, added the spokesperson. 'We have promptly cordoned off the affected area, including all lifts situated under the glass roof, to ensure public safety.' Earlier in the afternoon, The Straits Times had observed workers putting sheets around the affected area. Inspections within the building are ongoing, but court hearings and other proceedings are carrying on as per usual, the Singapore Courts told The Straits Times. The Supreme Court building opened at its current location in early 2006, and houses 12 civil courts, eight criminal courts and three appellate courts. The Straits Times has contacted the Building and Construction Authority, and the police for more information. In April, four people were taken to hospital after a glass pane fell at The Star Vista mall in Buona Vista. Two others declined to be sent to hospital.
CNA
14 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Japan moves toward first new reactor since Fukushima disaster
TOKYO: A Japanese utility said on Tuesday (Jul 22) it was taking an initial step towards building the nation's first new nuclear reactor since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster more than a decade ago. After the 2011 tsunami and meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors, with the public voicing unease about the energy source. But the government has continued to back nuclear power as a reliable and clean source of energy that Japan needs as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. And 14 years since the disaster, Japan has restarted many reactors, with the public's concerns about nuclear power declining, according to opinion polls. Utility Kansai Electric's president Nozomu Mori said on Tuesday the company will conduct a geological survey to "evaluate the possibility to construct the successor plant to Mihama Nuclear Power Station", resuming a project delayed by the 2011 disaster. "As natural resources are limited in our country ... it is important that nuclear power fulfils its role in the years to come," he said during a televised press conference, adding that it was not clear when construction might start. After the 2011 Fukushima meltdown, Kansai Electric suspended a geological survey needed for a plan to replace one of the three Mihama reactors. In 2015, the operator retired two of the Mihama reactors that had operated for more than 50 years. The third reactor still runs today despite having operated for nearly 50 years. Local media said a new reactor could cost 1 trillion yen (US$6.8 billion) and may take 20 years before it becomes operational.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Japan looks at building first atomic reactor since Fukushima
Find out what's new on ST website and app. TOKYO - Kansai Electric Power Co. is looking into a plan to build Japan's first nuclear reactor since the country soured on the technology following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the regional utility confirmed. The company will resume surveys for a potential new reactor at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui prefecture west of Tokyo, it said in a statement on July 22 . The move marks Japan's most significant step toward reviving atomic power since the Fukushima Dai-Ichi meltdowns prompted the closure of the nation's reactors. The government is backing nuclear energy to meet an expected rise in electricity demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom over the next decade, and public opinion has also become more favourable . 'Nuclear power should continue to be utilised into the future,' Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori told reporters in Osaka. 'In a country like Japan, which lacks natural resources, the key question is how we can continue to deliver energy, particularly as we look to foster the growth of new industries.' Kansai Electric's plans, which were first reported in local media late on July 18 , sparked a surge in utility shares on July 22, as local markets reopened after a public holiday. The company itself rose as much as 5 per cent in Tokyo. Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Hokkaido Electric Power Co. both climbed as much as 6.7 per cent. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a nuclear parts manufacturer, rallied as much as 6.2 per cent. While there is a variety of reactor design options, Mitsubishi Heavy's new model, the SRZ-1200, is the most 'realistic,' said Mr Hiroaki Kitaura, the company's chief manager for plant and maintenance engineering, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 22 . The company will conduct surveys at the Mihama power plant to possibly replace the number 1 unit, which is currently being decommissioned, he said. The study is expected to take 'several years,' Mr Kitaura explained, adding that it's undecided when the study will begin. The revival of nuclear power in Japan after Fukushima has been a long process. Fewer than half of the country's 33 operable reactors have gotten back online due to lengthy regulatory checks and upgrades, as well as local opposition. Outside of Japan, a renaissance in nuclear power has been underway for several years, as governments and companies, particularly in the tech sector, look for ways to meet clean energy targets. Microsoft is investing in the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear plant in the US, while Amazon is backing a nuclear technology company. Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Muto declined to comment specifically on Kansai Electric's plans on July 22 . He said the government believes Japan will need to secure more carbon-free electricity, and will take necessary steps to encourage investment and strengthen the nuclear supply chain. BLOOMBERG
