Nuclear Resources Japan

Issues

After the earthquake struck Japan’s northeast coast on March 11th 2011, automatic shutdown systems at 11 operating nuclear power reactors in the region became active. Safety mechanisms ensured that pumps became active to cool the system in order to prevent a nuclear meltdown. Since the tsunami and the earthquake damaged the backup power generators and the power connection, the system failed to cool the reactors and the catastrophe occurred. The main reason for the catastrophe was the overconfidence of both the government units and the TEPCO in the technology of Japan’s nuclear power generation. They neglected the necessary measures to increase preparedness for emergency situations. Since nuclear dependency makes the Japanese economy vulnerable to energy shocks, it is necessary to diversify the country’s energy resource portfolio. Prepare a strategic plan covering the necessary actions and the responsibilities for minimizing the risk at nuclear plants in the short run and reducing the nuclear dependency of Japan in the long run. The plan will elaborate the roles and responsibilities of all governmental institutions as well as operating companies in case of emergency. In addition, it will be a roadmap for transforming the current nuclear dependent energy policy to a more diversified policy in the long run. This policy helps to develop a guideline for minimizing the risk of unforeseen catastrophes in the short run and to stimulate energy resource diversification in the long run. However, it is challenging to make nuclear operating companies support energy resource diversification policy without any incentives.

A recent report about the financial donations of the Japan Liberal Democratic Party indicates that the nuclear industry has an important role in the Party’s finances.  In addition, some of the officials began to work for nuclear companies and utilities after leaving their position in the regulatory agencies. They were not strict at regulating the companies at which they would seek a job later. Since regulatory bodies have inadequate technical staff, they hire experts from nuclear power-related companies. Moreover, plant operators provide 60 percent of Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization’s budget. These relations led to less rigorous standards and lax safety-management practices.

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