Japan passes law extending life of nuclear power plants

Japan passes law allowing nuclear reactors to operate for more than 60 years, to meet energy needs and climate goals.

A Japanese parliament spokesman said today that the new law was passed to "establish a power supply system to achieve the goal of a zero-emission society" by increasing the operating time limit for nuclear power plants.

Under previous regulations, Japanese nuclear reactors had an operating life of 40 years, with a one-time extension of up to 20 years, depending on safety requirements.

Under the new law, the technical lifespan of nuclear reactors will remain at 60 years, but exceptions will be granted for reactors that had to be shut down earlier for "unforeseeable" reasons such as changes in safety regulations or temporary shutdown orders issued by courts.

The new rules also allow operators to deduct reactor downtime when calculating lifespan.

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, February 14, 2021. Photo : AFP

With exceptions, nuclear power plants need permission from Japan’s nuclear safety watchdog to extend their operating life. The new law also outlines measures to strengthen safety checks at older reactors.

The government wants to "secure a stable supply of electricity while promoting the use of carbon-free power sources," Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

The move comes as the Japanese government seeks to restore nuclear power plants that were shut down following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Most of Japan's nuclear reactors are offline, but the global energy crisis has brought the issue into sharper focus. Polls show Japanese public sentiment toward nuclear power is softening as the country faces looming power shortages.

Hong Hanh (According to AFP )

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