Source：Solar Magazine

The Japanese government announced in April the approval of plans to release over 1 million tonnes of nuclear waste into the ocean. It’s no surprise news the treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant—site of the 2011 disaster—would be dumped saw considerable criticism follow. But this event also drew attention once more to the wider debate that is occurring in Japan surrounding its energy future. One where it must transition away from fossil fuels, aspire to grow its renewables—but meantime reckons with the nuclear question.

Japan’s Updated 2030 Ambitions
Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga said in April his nation would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent by 2030. This an increase from the previous target of 26 percent made in 2015.  Although this move quickly won Japan praise internationally, it appears the path to achieving this goal domestically will be profoundly challenging. There’s no question Japan must move away from coal, but debate rages over what energy source(s) to move forward with.

This is the case for numerous reasons. Detailing a complete picture of it first requires an overview of Japan’s wider national challenges. This is because these issues and opportunities form the backdrop of the Japanese government’s current perspective. And ultimately, based on the current state of affairs, for the nation to come anywhere close to success in reaching its 2030 target, it must also have a clear-eyed examination once more of substantial hurdles to its society’s ongoing prosperity.