Fifteen years after Fukushima, Tokyo reopens the debate on nuclear energy amid global instability
Japan is once again debating the role of nuclear energy, a topic that once seemed politically untouchable after the Fukushima disaster of 2011.
Today, however, growing geopolitical instability and concerns over energy security are pushing the country to reconsider nuclear power as part of its long-term strategy.
According to Paolo Longobardi, president of Unimpresa, the Japanese case reveals how global crises are reshaping national energy policies.
The legacy of Fukushima
The Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 deeply shook Japan’s energy system and public opinion.
At the time, Japan operated 54 nuclear reactors, which supplied a large share of the country’s electricity. After the disaster, all reactors were gradually shut down.
Today the situation has partially changed:
- 33 reactors are considered operable
- 15 have already restarted operations
- others are under evaluation or awaiting restart
The Japanese government aims to increase nuclear energy’s share of electricity production to 20% by 2040.
Energy security in an unstable world
According to Paolo Longobardi, the renewed focus on nuclear power is closely linked to geopolitical tensions.
Japan heavily relies on imported oil and gas, much of which comes from the Middle East. Ongoing tensions in the region and the risk to major energy routes have intensified concerns about supply stability.
As Longobardi notes, global instability is forcing many countries to rethink their energy independence.
A shift in public opinion
Public sentiment in Japan is also evolving.
A survey cited by Reuters shows increasing support for nuclear energy, especially among younger generations.
Among people aged 18-29, support reaches 66%.
For many young Japanese citizens, nuclear power is increasingly viewed as a tool to guarantee:
- energy stability
- economic competitiveness
- strategic autonomy
A cautious and complex restart
Despite growing support, Japan’s nuclear restart remains slow and cautious.
Anti-nuclear movements remain active, and several challenges persist:
- shortage of qualified nuclear specialists
- strict safety regulations
- delays in reactor restarts
For example, the commercial restart of a reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa has recently been postponed.
Between history and economic necessity
Japan’s situation reflects a delicate balance between historical memory and economic needs.
The country carries the legacy not only of Fukushima, but also of the nuclear tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Yet today it is attempting to manage a cautious return to nuclear energy while maintaining awareness of these historical scars.
A signal of broader global change
Japan’s nuclear debate illustrates how global crises reshape policy choices far beyond their immediate region.
Energy insecurity, geopolitical competition, and the slow pace of the energy transition are forcing many nations to reconsider previously abandoned strategies.
In this sense, Japan’s nuclear return is not just a national story—it is a sign of a broader transformation in the global energy landscape.
This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)