FUKUI, Jul 23 (News On Japan) - Kansai Electric Power announced on July 22nd that it has resumed geological surveys in Mihama, Fukui Prefecture, as part of plans to construct a new nuclear reactor—marking a major policy shift after a 14-year freeze following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.
President Nozomu Mori stated that the company had suspended on-site research for a replacement reactor at the Mihama facility after March 12th, 2011, but has now decided to restart the process. The company is considering installing an advanced “Innovative Light Water Reactor,” a next-generation reactor that is said to offer higher safety standards. The decision to proceed with construction will be based on the results of the geological survey, the reactor’s development progress, and a cost-benefit analysis.
Currently, Mihama’s Units 1 and 2 have been officially decommissioned, and Unit 3 is approaching its 50th year of operation. Geological surveys had originally begun in 2010 but were halted in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear crisis caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Executive Vice President Hitoshi Mizuta, who visited Fukui Prefecture on July 22nd, emphasized that discussions with local residents would be held carefully in cooperation with the town of Mihama. "Explaining this thoroughly and respectfully is essential," he said.
Local reactions were mixed. A woman in her 30s expressed support, saying, "If this brings vitality to the town, I’m in favor. I don’t feel any additional concern." A woman in her 20s was more cautious: "I’m not outright opposed, but I do feel uneasy. I just hope nothing like Fukushima happens again."
The Mihama plant lies within a 30-kilometer radius that includes parts of Shiga Prefecture and Lake Biwa, making safety a concern not just for Fukui but for the broader Kansai region. With rising electricity costs and national energy security at stake, the impact on daily life is drawing increasing attention.
Earlier this year, Japan's Cabinet approved a major reversal in energy policy. Since 2011, the government had been signaling a zero-nuclear policy for the 2030s. However, in February, it formally adopted a plan to maximize the use of nuclear energy. The shift comes amid fears that energy shortfalls could hinder Japan’s economic competitiveness.
According to journalist Maiko Nakajima, the government’s new approach is driven by rising power demand from digital infrastructure such as data centers and semiconductor factories. Electricity usage is expected to rise fourteenfold over the next decade as services like cloud computing expand. Global competition in AI and digital industries is pushing countries to secure stable energy supplies, with France even declaring its intention to link AI development with nuclear energy expansion.
Despite these trends, safety and cost remain critical issues. The Mihama Unit 3 reactor is 49 years old, nearing the 60-year operational limit for nuclear facilities. Emergency evacuation plans for surrounding areas remain incomplete, and facilities to process spent nuclear fuel are still under development.
Cost-wise, nuclear power remains cheaper than thermal but more expensive than solar, and building new reactors requires major capital investment. In the event of an accident, the financial risks are massive—decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi has cost around 8 trillion yen, with compensation adding significantly more.
Nakajima explained that while initial construction costs will raise electricity bills in the short term, the long-term financial burden also hinges on whether disasters occur. Experts argue that Japan must aim for a balanced energy mix, using renewable energy as the main source and nuclear as a supplementary one.
Commentator Takaoka added that although Kansai Electric is the project operator, it is ultimately the national government that gives final approval, underlining the role of state policy in shaping the nuclear revival. As the world shifts toward AI and data-intensive technologies, electricity supply becomes a cornerstone of national competitiveness.
The decision to resume activity at Mihama is seen as part of this broader momentum. Fourteen years after Fukushima, changing public sentiment and government backing have enabled Kansai Electric to take the first step toward nuclear expansion once again.
Source: YOMIURI
