Latest news with #Kansai


Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
Twelve Years After Fukushima, Japan Plans New Nuclear Reactor and Survivors Cry 'It's Like History Is Repeating Itself'
IN A NUTSHELL 🌟 Kansai Electric plans to construct a new reactor at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant , ending a 13-year nuclear freeze in Japan. plans to construct a new reactor at the , ending a 13-year nuclear freeze in Japan. ⚡ Rising energy demands from technologies like artificial intelligence have spurred Japan's reconsideration of nuclear power as a viable energy source. have spurred Japan's reconsideration of nuclear power as a viable energy source. 📈 The market responded positively to the announcement, with shares of Kansai Electric and related companies experiencing notable gains. 🔍 Japan's potential nuclear revival reflects a strategic shift towards securing stable, carbon-free electricity amidst global energy challenges. In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Japan's nuclear energy policies faced a significant freeze. However, in a surprising turn of events, Kansai Electric is considering a new nuclear project at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant. This potential development could mark the end of a 13-year hiatus in nuclear reactor construction in Japan. As the world grapples with energy challenges, Japan's reconsideration of nuclear power underscores a shift in priorities, driven largely by the pressing need for stable and carbon-free electricity solutions. Nuclear Returns with Purpose Japan's renewed interest in nuclear energy symbolizes a strategic shift towards sustainable energy solutions. As the demand for electricity intensifies, propelled by power-hungry technologies like artificial intelligence and data centers, the nation is compelled to explore diverse energy sources. Nuclear power, despite its contentious history, emerges as a viable option due to Japan's limited domestic energy resources and land constraints. Kansai Electric's president, Nozomu Mori, highlights the necessity of nuclear energy in ensuring energy security for Japan. The company plans to assess the feasibility of replacing the aging No. 1 reactor at the Mihama plant, although a detailed construction timeline remains undetermined. This move, however, is Japan's clearest indication yet that it is ready to re-embrace nuclear energy, a sentiment echoed by the market's swift response in the form of rising share prices for Kansai Electric and other related companies. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' SRZ-1200 reactor model is a leading contender for the Mihama project, signaling potential advancements in Japan's nuclear capabilities. The decision, however, hinges on the outcomes of comprehensive site surveys. For Japan, which currently operates only a fraction of its 33 nuclear reactors, overcoming regulatory and societal barriers remains a challenge. 'Nuclear Fusion Just Got Real': Scientists Unveil Breakthrough That Could Deliver Endless Clean Energy and Erase Fossil Fuel Dependency Nuclear Future Takes Shape As Japan navigates its energy future, the notion of nuclear power is gaining traction, particularly among younger demographics and industrial leaders. The global landscape sees a quiet resurgence of nuclear endeavors, with giants like Microsoft and Amazon investing in nuclear projects in the U.S. This trend reflects a broader acceptance of nuclear energy as a sustainable and reliable solution. Japan, having learned from past experiences, is poised to re-enter the nuclear sphere with renewed vigor. The government's position, although cautious, acknowledges the necessity of carbon-free electricity in meeting future energy demands. Trade Minister Yoji Muto emphasizes the importance of securing more carbon-free energy, which aligns with Kansai Electric's plans to potentially spearhead Japan's nuclear renaissance. The Mihama project stands as a potential turning point for Japan's energy policy, possibly paving the way for further developments in the nuclear sector. As energy security becomes crucial in the AI-driven era, Japan's nuclear ambitions could redefine its role in the global energy conversation. 'We Slashed the Work by 99.9%': Scientists Achieve Fusion Reactor Analysis 15× Faster in Unbelievable Computational Breakthrough Public Opinion and Market Dynamics Public sentiment towards nuclear energy in Japan has undergone a transformation. While Fukushima instilled deep-seated apprehensions, rising energy costs and the imperative to meet carbon targets have softened resistance. Public opinion is increasingly favoring nuclear power, particularly as other energy sources struggle to meet demands. Interestingly, the market dynamics reflect this shift. Following Kansai Electric's announcement, shares of related companies experienced notable gains. This market enthusiasm underscores investor confidence in nuclear energy's potential resurgence in Japan. The anticipated deployment of Mitsubishi's SRZ-1200 model further bolsters this outlook. Regulatory hurdles and safety concerns, however, remain pertinent challenges. Any progression in the nuclear sector will require stringent compliance with safety standards, alongside addressing local community concerns. The balance between advancing nuclear capabilities and ensuring public safety will be crucial for Japan's energy future. 'America Races to Catch China': U.S. Fast-Tracks Nuclear Reactor Testing in Urgent Bid to Regain Global Energy Lead Japan's Path Forward As Japan contemplates its energy future, the decision to potentially re-engage with nuclear power is emblematic of broader strategic considerations. With fossil fuels becoming increasingly untenable and alternative energy sources facing capacity limits, nuclear energy presents a pragmatic option. The Mihama project, if realized, could serve as a catalyst for Japan's nuclear resurgence, offering a blueprint for future endeavors. The government's supportive stance, coupled with market optimism, sets the stage for potential advancements in the sector. Yet, the path forward will require careful navigation of regulatory landscapes and public sentiment. As the world continues to evolve, balancing energy needs with sustainability goals remains a critical challenge. How will Japan's nuclear ambitions shape its future energy landscape, and what implications might this have for the global energy sector? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (24)


Bloomberg
18-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Japan Utility to Survey First Nuclear Reactor Since Fukushima: Nikkei
Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co. will begin studying plans for a nuclear power reactor, the first step toward constructing a new one since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Nikkei reported. The regional utility, which currently operates seven reactors in western Japan, will start geological surveys at its Mihama Nuclear Power Plant, Nikkei reported without citing where it got the information. Kansai Electric will announce plans to resume studying new reactor builds in the coming days, the report said, after such surveys had been suspended since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.


Japan Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Local governments leverage Osaka Expo to attract tourists
Local governments in Japan have been enhancing tourism promotion at the Osaka Expo as the event hits its midway point. Officials of local governments are feeling confident about their promotion activities, with some events to introduce local food and culture at the expo proving popular. Inbound visitors, however, have accounted for less than 10% of total visitors to the expo so far. A challenge facing local communities is how to lure foreign visitors to their respective regions. The six prefectures comprising the Kansai region and three nearby prefectures are jointly operating the Kansai Pavilion at the expo. The prefectural government of Mie is exhibiting traditions, culture and industries of the prefecture, with themes changing regularly. Especially popular is an exhibition where visitors can try on a garment once worn by those who used the Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage routes to three major Shinto shrines. "The cumulative number of visitors has exceeded 300,000, roughly double what we had expected," a Mie official said. In June, an event dubbed "Kizuna Matsuri" took place at the expo in which traditional festivals of the six prefectures making up the Tohoku region, including "Nebuta," a festival in Aomori, were showcased. Fukushima Prefecture plans to showcase products from the prefecture, including peaches and sake, on July 19. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo is hoping to attract 28.2 million people to the event, including 3.5 million people from abroad. At present, the share of inbound visitors remains under the estimate. Visitors from Asia have accounted for just under 50% of the foreign visitors and those from Europe slightly over 40%. "We need to make more efforts to reach the target (of 3.5 million inbound visitors)," a Japanese government official said. The number of tourists to Osaka from the United States, European countries and Australia in April rocketed 57% from a year earlier, according to data released at a news conference held at the expo venue Friday by an organization that is made up of officials from Osaka Prefecture, Kobe, Fukuoka Prefecture and private-sector companies. The group was set up to lure tourists to western regions of Japan. "The number of people who visit prefectures such as Hyogo, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Ehime and Fukuoka after taking trips to Osaka is increasing in line with the expo," an official at the organization said. The organization has prepared tour plans allowing participants to experience local culture, in collaboration with the expo association. "The number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected to increase toward the upcoming summer vacation season," said Soichiro Takashima, mayor of the city of Fukuoka and chief of the organization. "We will put more efforts into tourism promotion to attract inbound visitors to western regions of the country."


Khaleej Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Hopes on palm leaves: UAE pavilion at Osaka Expo hosts Japanese festival for 2 millionth guest
The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, today celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor in just three months, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the pavilion's outdoor signage. Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky. The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations. Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation. Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration. The timing of this milestone during the Tanabata Festival adds special significance to the celebration. The festival, which falls on July 7 each year, celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair. Visitors to the pavilion have consistently praised the authentic Emirati hospitality they experience, with many noting the warmth and knowledge of the Japanese and Emirati Youth Ambassadors who guide them through the exhibits. The pavilion's restaurant, which serves authentic Emirati cuisine, has become a popular destination for visitors seeking to experience the flavours of the UAE, while the curated shop offers products by UAE-based creatives, providing visitors with tangible memories of their experience. The architectural design of the Pavilion itself tells a story of collaboration between the UAE and Japan. Taking inspiration from the cherished date palm tree, the structure reimagines areesh, the traditional vernacular architecture of the UAE. The innovative use of agricultural date palm waste fused with Japanese woodworking expertise creates a physical manifestation of the cultural bridge between the two nations. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow.


Zawya
07-07-2025
- Zawya
UAE Pavilion celebrates two million visitors with a celebration of hope and shared dreams
The milestone coincides with Japan's Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion's commitment to cultural exchange and collective aspirations. Osaka, Japan: The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, today celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion's ethos of shared experiences and collective hope for the future. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the Pavilion's outdoor signage. Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky. The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the Pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations. Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation. Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. His Excellency Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow. About UAE Expo Office The UAE Expo Office serves as a national platform to convene people, ideas, and innovations in service of global progress. Incubated by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office leads the UAE's strategic participation at international expositions — most recently Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The UAE Expo Office was created with a clear purpose: to bring together people and innovations to address challenges facing humanity. Guided by the values of optimism, openness, ambition, and resilience, the Office delivers magnetic and meaningful experiences that inspire action and foster collaboration across cultures, sectors, and generations. Through curated programming and strategic partnerships, the UAE Expo Office designs environments that accelerate progress — connecting global audiences and catalysing solutions in education, healthcare, sustainable technologies, and space exploration. In doing so, it contributes mindfully to the overarching goals of each Expo, while generating distinctive value for the UAE through content, ideas, and initiatives that may not otherwise have emerged. At Expo 2025 Osaka, the UAE Expo Office aims to bring joy, curiosity, and collaboration to every visitor encounter. Its work is anchored in the UAE's vision for inclusive global development, and its programming will empower new thinking, shared purpose, and collective progress—from the Earth to the Ether. About UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka The UAE Pavilion, Earth to Ether, is an immersive multisensory journey through the UAE story, from our values and cultural heritage to our pioneering innovations. Our Japanese and Emirati Youth Ambassadors will welcome you to learn about our Explorers of Space, Catalysts of Healthcare, and Stewards of Sustainability, who are drawing on heritage and cutting-edge technology to tackle global challenges. Join us in accelerating collective progress towards a flourishing future for all life, from Earth to Ether. Taking design inspiration from our cherished date palm tree, we reimagined areesh, traditional vernacular architecture of the UAE. Fusing agricultural date palm waste with Japanese woodworking expertise, the pavilion bonds our two cultures in the spirit of collaboration. From our first pavilion in Expo Osaka '70, to our nation's hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, we have an enduring legacy of gathering with the world to accelerate collective progress. As we return to Osaka, discover how tradition drives progress as we push the boundaries of what is possible–drawing on our heritage to create a lasting legacy of impact. Visitors can also experience an authentic Emirati culinary experience at our restaurant, peruse a curated selection of products by UAE-based creatives at our shop, and enjoy a dynamic range of programs activated in our workshop space. The UAE Pavilion, Earth to Ether, is located in the Empowering Lives zone, near the Japanese Pavilion and Shining Hat exhibition hall. We are welcoming guests daily between 09:00 and 21:00, April 13 to October 13, during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. For more information, please visit the Pavilion website: You can also follow the pavilion on our social media channels: Instagram: @uaeatexpo X: @uaeatexpo LinkedIn: @uaeatexpo YouTube: @uaeatexpo TikTok: @uaeatexpo2025 Facebook: @uaeatexpo For media enquiries, please contact: media@