16 June, 2021
Japanese Cabinet Approves Environmental White Paper 2021
On June 8, the Cabinet approved the “Annual Report on the Environment, the Sound Material-Cycle Society and Biodiversity in Japan,” which is conventionally called the Environmental White Paper 2021.
The white paper addresses three shifts implemented in measures by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE) in 2020, in accordance with its theme of redesigning the economy and society toward carbon neutrality by 2050. The three shifts are to a low-carbon society, to environmental economics, and to a decentralized society.
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting the same day, MOE Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said, “Younger people in particular, who cannot escape a time when climate change will become increasingly serious, are encouraged to read the white paper.” He said he looked to hearing from such people, particularly, their views and even proposals on the policy challenges ahead.
The white paper recognizes March 2021—the tenth anniversary of the giant earthquake of March 11,...more
- 16 June, 2021 Fukui Governor Concerned about Deletion of Reference to “Maximum Utilization” of Nuclear Power
- 14 June, 2021 NRA Considers Policy on Treating Slurry from ALPS, with Local Understanding Essential
- 9 June, 2021 MNF Hopes to Resume Fuel Production as Early as November
- 8 June, 2021 Opinions Differ Within Japan’s Governing Coalition Concerning Nuclear Power
- 8 June, 2021 Local Concerns About Unfounded Fears and Rumors on Offshore Release of Treated Water
- 7 June, 2021 JEMA Proposes that Nuclear Power Be Maintained at a Certain Scale
- 7 June, 2021 IHI to Participate in NuScale’s SMR Project
- 4 June, 2021 FEPC Declares for “Zero Emissions”
- 2 June, 2021 Japan’s Power Industry Workers Union Calls for Prudence toward the Closure of Coal-fired Power Plants
- 2 June, 2021 Japan’s Advisory Committee Discusses Supply-and-Demand Measures in Summer and Winter 2021
- 14 May, 2021 Global Nuclear Industry Open Letter: Net Zero Needs Nuclear
- 19 April, 2021 [54th JAIF Annual Conference] Chairman Imai Says “Continuation of Nuclear Power is Essential”
- 13 April, 2021 Remarks by JAIF Chairman Imai Takashi at the 54th JAIF Annual Conference
16 June, 2021
LDP Parliamentary Association to Reconfirm Position on Utilization of Nuclear Power
On June 14, Japan’s Parliamentary Association for the Promotion of Stable Supplies of Electricity met to hear from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), on the state of deliberations on the next Strategic Energy Plan. The group is voluntarily formed by members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and chaired by Hiroyuki Hosoda（former Chief Cabinet Secretary).
In late April, the association had proposed to the government that it include the maximum utilization of nuclear power in the next Strategic Energy Plan. Since then, however, it omitted the expression “maximum utilization,” and a political battle has been shaping up within the government.
At the scheduled meeting on April 14, the association heard about various developments since it first submitted its proposal earlier the same month, and reiterated its position on the importance of nuclear power.
In its proposal, the association asked for a revision to the government’s policy in the current Strategic Energy Plan of “decreasing dependency on nuclear power to the maximum extent possible,” and calls for the showing of a medium-to long-range nuclear vision.
Among other items, the pro...more
