Prime Minister says nuclear power and perovskite as Japan's energy sources are important

Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese prime minister, told the parliament on Friday how important it is for Japan to have its own sources of energy such as nuclear power and solar cells made from perovskite.

Takaichi (64), the first woman to be elected as prime minister in Japan, was elected this week. After her ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost recent elections due to rising consumer prices, she faces a persistent inflation problem.

Takaichi stated that "a stable and affordable supply of energy is essential for the livelihoods of citizens and domestic industries and to increase our competitiveness".

"We will maximise the use of decarbonised energy sources."

Perovskite is a new generation of solar technology that was developed by Japan.

She said that Japan will deploy innovative reactors, and implement fusion-generated power.

Only 14 out of 54 nuclear power plants in Japan that were operational before the Fukushima catastrophe in 2011 have been brought online. Takaichi has

Reviving nuclear energy is crucial to Japan's security of energy.

Japan wants nuclear energy to account for 20% or more of its electricity mix by 2040. It is currently less than 10%. The country also has to meet the power demands of data centres.

Reversing

Years of decline

Government data shows that electricity costs in Japan’s western region, Kansai and Kyushu (in the south), where around a third is nuclear-generated power, were 30-40% cheaper last fiscal year in Hokkaido.

Authorities have given the initial permission to restart four more idled reactors. Eight others are currently undergoing safety tests and another 10 could be eligible for restart.

The nuclear industry in Japan welcomed Takaichi’s election, as it wanted greater support for the building of new reactors. This includes state-run capacity auctions.

This week.

Japan has focused on restarting reactors that have been shut down. The government recently increased the operating lifespans from 40 to 60, and only one new nuclear plant is currently in the planning stages. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed, Thomas Derpinghaus, Yuka Obayashi. Additional reporting by Katya Glubkova)

(source: Reuters)