In Fukushima's shadow: Japan's pivot back to nuclear | FT Film

Key Concepts

• Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster: The 2011 event involving a meltdown of three nuclear reactors following a powerful earthquake and tsunami.
• Decommissioning: The process of safely dismantling and cleaning up nuclear facilities.
• Energy Mix: The combination of different energy sources a country uses.
• Renewable Energy: Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar and wind.
• Intermittency: The characteristic of renewable energy sources that their availability fluctuates.
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state for easier transport.
• Small Modular Reactor (SMR): A smaller, more standardized design for nuclear reactors.
• Onsen: Natural hot springs, a significant part of Japan's tourism industry.

Fukushima Aftermath and Japan's Energy Rethink

The transcript details the profound impact of the third most powerful earthquake ever recorded and the subsequent tsunami on Japan's economy and society. The disaster led to a catastrophic meltdown of three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, marking one of the world's worst nuclear accidents. This event, occurring in a nation still bearing the trauma of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, prompted Japan to disconnect all its nuclear power plants and re-evaluate its energy and economic strategies.

Decommissioning Efforts at Fukushima

Leo Lewis, the FT's Tokyo bureau chief, visited the Fukushima Daiichi plant nearly 15 years after the disaster. He observed the extensive decommissioning efforts underway, involving thousands of workers tasked with making the site safe for future generations. While nuclear power has become a sensitive topic in Fukushima, the emotional scars are more related to personal loss and the disruption of families rather than just the fear of radiation. The tsunami itself claimed nearly 20,000 lives, primarily through drowning, and caused widespread loss of homes and livelihoods, with rebuilding costs estimated at $255 billion.

The Economic and Political Shift Away from Nuclear Power

The decision to largely reject nuclear power after Fukushima had significant consequences. Prior to the accident, nuclear energy accounted for 30% of Japan's electricity, with ambitions to reach 50%. The post-Fukushima shutdown resulted in a third of Japan's power being turned off, forcing the country to rely heavily on imported fossil fuels. This reliance proved unsustainable, as Japan suffered economically from importing all its fossil fuels. The initial hope that renewable energy technologies like wind and solar could fill the gap has been unmet, as they cannot provide the reliable, round-the-clock power that nuclear energy offers.

The Push to Restart Nuclear Reactors

Business leaders and politicians are now advocating for the restart of dormant nuclear reactors due to increasing electricity demand, particularly from AI and semiconductor manufacturing, which require 24/7 power supply. The intermittency of renewables necessitates a stable baseload power source. The plan to rely solely on imported fuel and renewable technology has proven unsustainable. Japan reactivated its first nuclear plant in 2015, and by the time of the transcript, 14 out of 54 closed reactors were back online. The urgency of this strategy intensified in 2022 with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which drove up gas prices and strained global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Currently, nuclear power generates 8.5% of Japan's electricity, with a target to reach 20% by 2040. Restarting existing reactors is considered the cheapest and easiest way to achieve this goal.

Japan's Traumatic Relationship with Nuclear Power and Public Opposition

Japan's historical experience with nuclear weapons, particularly the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has fostered a deep-seated trauma and a strong anti-nuclear movement. Protests against nuclear power continue weekly, characterized by banners and protest songs, often evoking a 1970s hippie movement aesthetic. This contrasts with younger activists protesting other issues nearby.

Safety Improvements and Challenges at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa

The transcript highlights the safety improvements being made at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world's largest nuclear facility, as it prepares to restart. Deputy superintendent Masaki Daito showcased enhancements to reactor 6. While Kashiwazaki is on the west coast and less vulnerable to tsunamis than Fukushima, it is situated on a dormant tectonic fault line and has experienced significant earthquakes, including a 7.5 magnitude quake in 1964 and a 2007 event that caused some damage to the plant. The mayor of Kashiwazaki has agreed to a limited reopening but remains concerned about the disposal of highly radioactive spent fuel. Tepco announced a 100 billion yen development fund for the area in October 2025. However, some, like Eiko Takeuchi, argue that the fundamental issue is Tepco's suitability to operate nuclear plants, especially given its significant debts (over $42 billion), which could necessitate a government bailout. Japan's new leader, Sanae Takaichi, has committed to prioritizing nuclear power in the nation's energy strategy. With the approval of Niigata's governor in late November, the last major obstacle was removed, and Tepco anticipates restarting the reactor by March 2026.

Rising Electricity Demand and the AI Economy

Electricity costs for Japanese businesses have increased by 74% since the Fukushima disaster. The assumption that electricity demand would decline due to an aging population and increased energy efficiency has been overturned by the rapid growth of AI and data centers. Within a decade, data centers are projected to triple their power consumption to approximately 60 terawatt-hours, representing 6% of Japan's total power demand. To remain competitive internationally and maintain its position as a major exporter of cars, steel, and machinery, Japan requires cheap and reliable power for these AI-driven industries.

Stories of Revival in Affected Areas

The transcript also touches upon the resilience and revival in areas devastated by the tsunami. Leo Lewis reported from industrial towns like Tagajo, which were completely destroyed. The Aeon Mall in Tagajo, where hundreds sheltered on a car park roof during the tsunami, now shows signs of revival with rebuilt structures and ongoing business. Further south, the Hawaiians Spa Resort in Iwaki, located 50km from the Fukushima plant, is another story of revival. The resort's history, as depicted in the 2006 film 'Hula Girls,' highlights its role in revitalizing the town after the closure of a local coal mine. Hitoshi Sekine, CEO of the resort group, recounts the challenges of attracting visitors after the disaster and the collective effort required to keep the business afloat.

The Fukushima Youth Orchestra and Cultural Resilience

The Fukushima Youth Orchestra, founded by the charity Keys of Change, offers a way for children affected by the disaster to process their grief through music. Panos Karan, founder of Keys of Change and a concert pianist, initiated the orchestra by performing in evacuation centers. Fumiko Tanaka has led the orchestra, enabling talented young musicians to perform internationally, showcasing Fukushima not as a nuclear wasteland but as a place with creative youth and a hopeful future.

Global Lessons in Nuclear Engineering and Geopolitics

Japan is learning cautionary lessons from other countries regarding nuclear power. A prolonged hiatus in building new nuclear plants has led to a loss of engineering expertise in countries like the United States (after Three Mile Island) and France (Flamanville). This decline in the supply chain, with experienced engineers retired or companies out of business, is a concern. Maintaining an active supply chain is crucial, especially as Russia and China dominate the global market for new nuclear projects. From a geopolitical perspective, relying solely on China and Russia for nuclear supplies is not ideal. Furthermore, given its proximity to nuclear-armed nations like North Korea, China, and Russia, a robust civilian nuclear industry is vital for Japan to maintain the capability to develop nuclear weapons if necessary.

Future of Nuclear Technology and Opposition

Despite strong opposition from anti-nuclear campaigners like Mami Moriya, Japan is not only planning to restart existing reactors but also to build new ones. Japanese nuclear engineering firms such as Hitachi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Toshiba are developing modern reactor designs. Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy is testing components for next-generation nuclear reactors, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are designed to be smaller, safer, and cheaper. Hitachi is also developing advanced large reactors that use less land per unit of power. While nuclear power is logically seen as environmentally friendly and capable of meeting industrial electricity needs, the question of "at what cost?" remains.

Geothermal Power and the Tourism Industry

The transcript also briefly mentions geothermal power as an alternative to nuclear energy. However, towns like Kusatsu are fiercely opposing geothermal developments due to concerns that they could jeopardize their vibrant tourism industry, which relies heavily on onsens (hot springs).

The Calculated Risk of Nuclear Power

In conclusion, nuclear energy offers a solution to the problems associated with renewables by providing vast quantities of consistent power unaffected by weather. Geopolitically, it offers Japan a virtually independent energy source, reducing reliance on fuel imports and minimizing carbon emissions. However, the "scary potential kicker" is the catastrophic consequences if things go wrong. Despite its traumatic history with nuclear power, Japan has calculated that in today's increasingly unstable world, nuclear power is a risk worth taking.