Tokyo. Japan was hit by an energy crisis after the Fukushima nuclear plant accident. After the accident, Japan had again considered the option of nuclear energy, but now after 13 years the situation has changed. Japan’s Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear plant is ready to operate again. This development not only reflects Japan’s approach to tackling the energy crisis, but also serves as a lesson for countries like India.
Let us tell you that due to the tsunami in Fukushima in 2011, the reactors of the nuclear plant melted, due to which radioactive elements spread. After this accident, Japan raised many questions regarding the safety and environmental impacts of nuclear energy and closed its nuclear plants. Now Japan has resumed the use of nuclear energy with the improvement of its energy policy. Kashiwazaki Karewa, the world’s largest advanced boiling water reactor, is now ready to operate again with new safety measures and technical improvements.
A 15 meter high wall has now been built at the Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant which will provide protection from disasters such as tsunami. Masaaki Daito, deputy superintendent of the plant, says that necessary improvements have been made to avoid accidents like Fukushima. The addition of a new backup power supply and high-quality ventilation system has reduced the exposure to radioactive particles by 99.9 percent. Japan’s nuclear plants were closed after 2011, and the country had to rely on fossil fuels, solar power and natural gas. This increased Japan’s energy costs, costing around Rs 42 billion per day. After this crisis, Japan decided to increase the lifespan of its nuclear plants to 60 years and has set a target of producing 20 to 22 percent of electricity from nuclear energy by 2030.
This is a lesson for India. Japan has made the return to nuclear energy possible by reforming its energy policy. India should also consider using nuclear energy in a safe and effective manner to deal with its energy crisis, to ensure its energy supply and also to meet climate change goals. Japan’s return to nuclear power, despite its past accidents, represents an excellent example of balancing energy policy and environmental safety.