Tag - energy

 
 

ENERGY

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a nuclear fusion demonstration project, in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France, in October 2016
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 12, 2023
Fusion research shouldn’t be a nuclear weapons side hustle
Some question the wisdom of improving nuclear weapons while advocating for the separation of fusion research from weapons development.
A vote is held on conducting a preliminary survey on a potential nuclear waste disposal site, at the Tsushima Municipal Assembly in Nagasaki Prefecture on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 12, 2023
Tsushima assembly approves request for nuclear waste site survey
If the island city decides to conduct the survey, it would receive up to ¥2 billion in state subsidies.
The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, which started releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, in Fukushima Prefecture on Aug. 24
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2023
First round of release of treated Fukushima water completed
Tepco is releasing approximately 31,200 tons of the tritium-laced water in four rounds during the current fiscal year through March.
The No. 2 reactor of Chugoku Electric Power's Shimane nuclear plant in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, in September 2021
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2023
Chugoku Electric plans to restart Shimane reactor next August
The move comes as Japan aims to reboot more reactors to help diversify its electricity mix.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2023
G20 ends summit, with Japan explaining safety of Fukushima release
Japan says the water release is safe, noting that the IAEA has concluded that the impact on the environment will be "negligible."
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jakarka on Thursday
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2023
Kishida may seek conservative support by reshuffling Cabinet
If Kishida can garner the backing of conservatives, he might be confident in calling a snap election later this year.
Japan Wind Development's Tohoku headquarters in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 10, 2023
Internal email sheds light on wind-power bribery scandal
Tokyo prosecutors have obtained an email as possible evidence of Akimoto having made statements before lawmakers at the request of Tsukawaki.
A group of plaintiffs for a lawsuit demanding a halt to the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant walk to the Fukushima District Court in the city of Fukushima on Friday.
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2023
Japan fishers file suit to stop Fukushima water release
The plaintiffs said the water discharge threatens citizens' right to live safely and hinders local fishermen's businesses.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang (front left) walk to the so-called ASEAN Plus Three meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 8, 2023
Regional summits a missed chance to mend Japan-China ties
While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang had a brief exchange, the Fukushima issue may have a lasting impact on bilateral ties.
Lawmaker Masatoshi Akimoto makes a speech advocating for renewable energy, in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture in March 2021.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2023
Ex-LDP member and offshore wind advocate arrested over bribery
Masatoshi Akimoto is suspected of receiving ¥60 million from Masayuki Tsukawaki, then-president of Japan Wind Development.
An activist in Seoul protests Japan’s plan to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
PODCAST / deep dive
Sep 7, 2023
Anger at Fukushima’s wastewater; hope in its renewables
Good news and bad news out of Fukushima.
Kenya's President William Ruto addresses delegates at the close of the Africa Climate Summit 2023 in Nairobi on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 7, 2023
Climate summit touts Africa's role as clean energy 'superpower'
While leaders touted Africa's role as a clean energy "superpower," they identified one big snag: a lack of finance to turn that potential into reality.
Journalists tour the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and the tanks that contain contaminated water on Aug. 27
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 6, 2023
We need to put low-dose radiation into perspective
Public fear of the effects of low-dose radiation isn’t backed by science. The Fukushima water release shows, once again, that better education is needed.
Packs of raw fish at a Japanese food store in Beijing prior to China's ban on Japan's seafood products
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 6, 2023
China takes its anti-science disinformation campaign to a new level
Japan can counter China's disinformation on the safety of the Fukushima water release, and gain people's trust, by sharing the data.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hold hands for a commemorative photo during the ASEAN Plus Three meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 6, 2023
Kishida meets Chinese premier for first talks since water release
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sought to tamp down Beijing's concerns, explaining Japan's stance to Chinese Premier Li Qiang during meetings in Jakarta.
A vendor serves customers at a seafood market in Beijing on Aug. 25.
BUSINESS
Sep 6, 2023
Seafood exports to China fell 23% in July amid radiation testing
Beijing tightened its inspections prior to the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
A pipe to transport treated radioactive water diluted with seawater into a large water tank is presented to the media at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on Aug. 27. Beijing has ignored Tokyo's repeated proposals for a science-based dialogue involving experts on the release of the treated water into the Pacific.
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2023
China rejected call to join Fukushima water framework
China is staunchly opposed to the ocean discharge and has banned all seafood imports from Japan since it began in late August.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel talks to local fishermen on Thursday to show his support for the water discharge from the nearby Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 5, 2023
Fukushima water disposal is leadership opportunity for Japan
Some 1,000 storage tanks that hold the water are almost full and more tanks can’t be installed as they would interfere with the plant’s decommissioning.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters on Monday evening at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 5, 2023
Japan OKs additional fisheries aid and ups pressure on China
Support for the industry now tops ¥100 billion, as the government struggles to soothe fears over contaminated water at home and abroad.
Nestled behind a seawall on the Pacific coast are the Minamisoma Mano-Migita-Ebi solar power plant and the Manyo no Sato wind farm. The 2011 tsunami struck this portion of the coast with a wave that is reported to have been around 18 meters high.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy / OUR PLANET
Sep 5, 2023
How a nuclear disaster turned Fukushima into a renewables leader
Following 3/11 — and the cratering of support for nuclear energy — Fukushima positioned itself at the forefront of Japan’s low-carbon transition.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals