On June 23rd, 20,000 Japanese citizens staged a mass protest against Prime Minister Noda’s decision to restart two nuclear power plants. The on-going debate regarding the use of nuclear power has received a very negative reception from the Japanese public. Nuclear power has always been a sensitive issue in the country due to historical reasons. The outrage is exacerbated by the fact that even seismologists have warned against restarting the two Kansai Electric Ohi nuclear power plants, due to active fault lines near the facilities. This issue has caused a deep rift between the people and the government. After six prime ministers since 2006, and PM Noda’s mishandling of 3/11, the people are at the brink of losing complete faith in its rulers.
However, a question that needs to be asked is; what do the Japanese people want instead? The issue is not about shutting down Japan’s nuclear power plants forever, but what the alternative is supposed to be. Japan’s reliance on nuclear power has always stemmed from the fact that it does not have its own reliable source of energy. Up until 3/11, nuclear power provided 30 per cent of the country’s energy needs. Since shutting off all nuclear power plants, Japan has had no choice but to rely on fossil fuels from abroad. This has had three negative effects. First, the economy has been damaged significantly by the high cost of fossil fuels. According to the Japanese Financial Ministry, Japan’s trade deficit for May 2012 rose to 907 billion yen from 522 billion yen in April 2012 due to increased imports of fossil fuels. This figure is expected to rise, especially since Japanese exports, backed by the strong yen, are becoming increasingly unpopular in a crumbling global economy.
Secondly, Japan is bracing for a summer of power shortages. Even with the Kansai Electric Ohi nuclear plants at full capacity, the country is producing 20 per cent less energy than it did one year ago. Power shortages are more than just an inconvenience. Without power, both the economy and people’s livelihoods will be affected negatively. Productivity will drop, and lives will be put in danger due to a myriad of reasons like spoiled foods, heat strokes, or insufficient hospital facilities. Ultimately, these power shortages will contribute to Japan’s chronically faltering economy.
Thirdly, Japan’s dependence on fossil fuels could mean that the SDF (Self Defence Forces) will have to deploy to the Strait of Hormuz. The possibility was raised this past February. Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz are a threat to Japan’s energy security and it is in Tokyo’s interest to allow safe passageway in the region. This scenario is looking more like a reality due to increased tension between Iran and Israel. However, the decision to become involved in the Strait of Hormuz will undoubtedly have negative ramifications among Japan and its neighbours. The wounds from WWII are still fresh for Korea and China, who balk at any indication of Japan’s military expansion. As expected, Japan will be accused of stretching the mandate of the SDF and secretly trying to fulfil its colonial desires.
These three reasons do not justify Japan reverting to its old ways. However, the Japanese people should realise that there is no other short-term alternative. They must accept the use of nuclear power, but should only be forced to do so within a concrete timeframe. The country has no choice until other forms of energy become available. Of course, the ideal scenario is the end of nuclear power but in the short term, there is no solution.
[twitter style=”horizontal” source=”@intlpolitical” float=”left”][fbshare type=”button”]
About the Author
