Future Nuclear Energy Policy in Japan

13 years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. During this time, 12 nuclear reactors have restarted and are in operation. At this point in time Japan is surrounded by many uncertainties - the country is at a interesting and important juncture as “the 7th Strategic Energy Plan (SEP)” is being prepared. The next SEP will be announced early next year. Nuclear will continue to play an important role in the future energy mix in Japan although it is not in an ideal shape right now and the major arguments about the upcoming SEP are about renewables. Nuclear power should play an indispensable role in the future energy mix leading to carbon neutrality in Japan by 2050. In order to pursue this path, we should consider the conditions for “Sustainable nuclear power”.

Nobuo Tanaka - Executive Director Emeritus, The International Energy Agency (IEA)

Nobuo Tanaka is Chairman of the steering committee of the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF), which was established by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. He was Chairman and President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for 2015-2020. As Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) from 2007 to 2011, he initiated a collective release of oil stocks in June 2011. He also played a crucial and personal role in the strengthening of ties with major non-Member energy players, including China and India. He began his career in 1973 in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and has served in a number of high-ranking positions, including Director-General of the Multilateral Trade System Department. He was deeply engaged in bilateral trade issues with the US as Minister for Industry, Trade and Energy at the Embassy of Japan, Washington DC. He has also served twice as Director for Science, Technology and Industry (DSTI) of the Paris-based international organization, OECD (1989- 95, 2004-07). As CEO of Tanaka Global Inc, he advises several Japanese and International companies. He is a member of International Advisory Committee of TotalEnergies since 2013. He is currently Senior Executive Advisor, Air Liquide Japan. He is a member of Stakeholders Panel of Orano. He graduated from the University of Tokyo and have MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He is Distinguished Fellow of Center on Global Energy Policy of Columbia University and Institue of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ).

Event Chair

Hisashi Yoshikawa is a Project Professor of the Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), the University of Tokyo, and also belongs to the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI). Before he started to work in the University in September 2011, he worked both in the International Energy Agency (IEA) as Senior Advisor for Long - Term Policy and in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as Deputy Director of the Directorate of Science, Te chnology and Industry (STI). He also worked in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of the Japanese Government and held director positions including Director of the Service Affairs Policy Division and Director of the Petroleum Distribution Di vision. His interests include policy planning and implementation, particularly in the field of energy, climate change and decarbonization. He received his master’s degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, in 1987 and a BA in law from the University of Tokyo in 1981. He also works as Research Director of the Canon Institute for Global Strategy (CIGS), where he implements research projects including future nuclear in Japan, decarbonization and geopolitics, etc.

Panellists

Dr Pete Bryant, Director of ESG and Radiation Strategy, Sizewell C

Pete is an experienced Environmental and Radiation Protection Professional within the Nuclear Power and Contaminated Land Sectors with over 15 years' experience working across the Nuclear Fuel Cycle. He is currently the Director of ESG and Radiation Strategy at the New Nuclear Build Company Sizewell C where he is accountable for setting and implementing the businesses strategies to ensure the delivery of its Environmental, Social and Governance / Sustainability commitments along with assuring on behalf of Sizewell C that these are being delivered.

Alongside delivery of the ESG commitments, he is accountable for the delivery and ongoing maintenance of the Sizewell C Funded Decommissioning Programme, and leading proactive engagement in the ESG and radiation international and national policy and regulation arena to raise awareness of Sizewell C and support development of future policy and regulation in these areas.

Pete was former President of the Society for Radiological Protection and holds an Honorary Professorship in Physics at the University of Liverpool specialising in Radiation Protection Science and Nuclear Energy Policy, and Senior Fellowship at the University of Suffolk in Environment & Energy Research.

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