Nuclear power plants supplied approximately 30% of Japan’s electricity. Their government planned to raise that ceiling to 50% by the year 2030.
Naoto Kan, Japanese prime minister, in a press conference held last week declared that his country will have to “start from scratch” on it’s long term energy policy after the Fukushima Dai Ichi nuclear power plant disaster.
Just to remind you, this power plant was heavily damaged this March, after which it started leaking radiation. Damage was caused by a tsunami - triggered by a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck about 400 km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo.
Mr. Kan said in news conference that nuclear and fossil fuel used to be the only pillars of Japanese energy policy, but now the government will add two more pillars: renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass, and and will increase it's focus on conservation. "We will thoroughly ensure safety for nuclear power generation and make efforts to further promote renewable energy, an area where Japan has lagged", he said.
On Friday, Prime Minister Kan asked Chubu Electric Power to halt operations at its plant in Hamaoka (120 miles south of Tokyo).
Mr Naoto Kan said that three reactors sit in an area due for an earthquake, and new safety measures need to be put in place.
This shutdown may result in power disruptions to very important manufacturers including Toyota Motor.
Chubu Electric stock fell as much as 14% at one point on Monday, pulling with it other major electricity and gas shares.
The earthquake, the tsunami, the nuclear power plant, so many horrible things happened to Japan in such a short time. Hopefully people will learn from the power plant issue that it's important not to have them running for more than a couple of decades. Technology improves, and safer technology that has the potential to avoid unnecessary deaths in far more important that money. At least, a sensible person would feel that way. Too bad there aren't more of those.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose it's good they're looking into green alternatives. They're gonna have power problems for a good while after all that though.
ReplyDeleteHopefully nuclear energy will soon be a thing of the past.
ReplyDeletewhat Ian said.
ReplyDeleteTruly a terrible last couple of months.
ReplyDeletenuclear power + earthquake zone, not good.
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard at the picture, Takeshi's castle is one of the best game shows ever made.
ReplyDeletefollowing! please check out my 3 blogs!
ReplyDeleteI like how they talk about safety measures, when really it is just disaster measures. I can't see how one could really prepare for all of this mess. Talk about catastrophe.
ReplyDeletethose are some crazy stats
ReplyDeletei feel bad for japan!
ReplyDeleteI lul'd at the video, though.
ReplyDeleteNuclear power is bad new IMO, especially with earthquakes. Love the new banner btw!
ReplyDeleteLol @ gif ?!
ReplyDeleteHope Japan's recovery efforts are going well.
ReplyDeleteNuclear power is great if you are safe about it. That's the key.
ReplyDeleteoh those Japanese...
ReplyDeleteSad stuff, but that gif made me lol. Following...
ReplyDeleteNuclear power is the safer then coal and fossil fuel plants combined. I would much rather have nuclear power. The facts are that the tsunami did thousands of times more damage then the nuclear reactor did, and the reactor situation was handled to the best of their ability. Newer technology makes nuclear power even safer. The problem is keeping these plants funded after being built to make sure they maintain top notch operations. The issue with that lies in politics, and shutting down nuclear power plants isn't the way to go.
ReplyDeleteThe gif was awesome.
ReplyDeleteEverything that happened to Japan was horrible, but they still have plenty of hope. There was a big earthquake in Kobe in 95 (I think) that crippled the country for a bit. However, the long term effects from it boosted the economy into to record high standings. People can always bounce back stronger.
ReplyDeleteI hope we don't give up on nuclear power because someone was dumb enough to build one on a fault line near the ocean.
ReplyDeleteNuclear power needs to be used in a responsable manner... as it is the best option we have going forward to drastically reduce the burning of fossil fuels.
ReplyDeleteNuclear power never mixes well with anything!=P
ReplyDeletethis is really sad. it's terrible what happened to japan.
ReplyDeletethe gif is amazing though. lol'd hard.
At least there buildings where prepared for it.
ReplyDeleteGIF had me in tears haha.
Haha what the hell is up with that gif?
ReplyDeletei really hope the people there come out of all of this alright.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should try to be more green with less nuclear power because there would be less pollution :)
ReplyDeleteit would be great if japan would go green
ReplyDeleteJapan was totally fucked, it sucks for them
ReplyDeleteDude, the japanese amaze me. They live through all this crap and they somehow come out ahead.
ReplyDeleteAlways.
Great to hear that Japan are committing to a greater pursuit of renewable and natural energy, although of course it is sad that it is under such terrible circumstances. I love the Japanese and their culture, I hope they come through these disasters the stronger for it.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that they are progressing to cleaner energy but I hate that it took such a disaster to make this happen.
ReplyDeleteThat gif was so random at the end of a serious post. Had me cracking up!
That's too bad to hear. Hilarious gif at the end though.
ReplyDeleteDefinatly makes you think about nuclear power..
ReplyDeletevery interesting!
ReplyDeletefollowed
Serious Blog, that made me laugh , looks like ultraman
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can get this fixed up, its the Japanese
ReplyDeleteheart and soul with those people. fucking insane whats happened
ReplyDeleteLost it at the gif on the end. hahaha thats how all of japan is i hear.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the problem with nuclear power ay. Mutation is a part of evolution. Imagine having a third arm. Would be quite handy I think
ReplyDeleteSuch a positive result of tragedy. BTW...made you new blog of the day.
ReplyDeleteall my wishes go to japan
ReplyDeleteinteresting post! i loved the gif =)
ReplyDelete