According to the final form of Japan's annual economic policy blueprint seen by Reuters, the country will continue forward with the safe restart of nuclear power facilities and incorporate strict examinations into its nuclear regulatory control.

According to the draft, the government wants to accelerate decarbonisation and boost energy self-sufficiency, and using power sources with a strong decarbonisation effect, such as nuclear power, would be a key part of achieving that.

The policy outline is the first under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's leadership, and it will serve as a blueprint for his administration's future policymaking. It is likely to be approved by the cabinet on Tuesday.

It comes less than a month after Kishida stated during a visit to London that Japan would employ nuclear reactors to reduce its and other countries' reliance on Russian energy.

If the government wants to reach its target of lowering carbon emissions by 46% by 2030 compared to 2013 levels, it will need to make a tremendous push into decarbonisation.

Last month, Kishida announced a plan to issue "green transition" bonds worth an estimated 20 trillion yen ($153 billion) to help finance investment in a carbon-neutral society.

To attain that aim, he estimates that the country will need at least 150 trillion yen in private and public investment over the next decade.

Source: Reuters

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