The proposal, submitted on July 2, includes six policy areas, two of which focus on nuclear energy: “Nuclear Power and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle” and “Accelerating the Development of Advanced Reactors and Fusion Reactors.”
In the section on nuclear power, the party recommends measures to facilitate safe reactor operation, including closer dialogue between regulators and utilities, earlier communication of regulatory review schedules, the introduction of online maintenance, and strengthened human resource development within the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA).
The proposal also addresses regulatory staffing, following recommendations made during the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission. While maintaining restrictions on senior officials moving between regulatory and promotional organizations to preserve regulatory independence, the party proposes easing the so-called “no-return rule” for younger and mid-career personnel to broaden their experience and expertise.
Among its key recommendations, the party calls for abolishing the 60-year operating limit under the Electricity Business Act and enabling longer operating cycles for nuclear power plants.
The proposal further argues that growing electricity demand will require consideration of new nuclear power plant construction. It urges the government to examine a full range of financial support measures, including public financing and improvements to Japan’s long-term decarbonized power auction scheme, to facilitate investment in new reactors.
For advanced reactor technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), the party recommends establishing opportunities for technical dialogue among regulators, utilities, and reactor vendors during the development of future regulatory frameworks.
Overall, the recommendations emphasize economic efficiency in responding to rising energy costs and advocate pursuing “all available options” to strengthen Japan’s energy security.
