Japan Restarts Plutonium Reactors to Catch China and Russia

Japan Restarts Plutonium Reactors to Catch China and Russia

Japan is reviving fast breeder reactor development, a nuclear technology it once led before abandoning it after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The country now trails China and Russia, which have continued building their own programs.

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Japan is restarting development of next-generation fast breeder reactors, a nuclear technology it once pioneered but largely abandoned after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster [238867]. The move comes as the country tries to close a growing gap with China and Russia, both of which have pressed ahead with their own fast breeder programs [238867].

Fast breeder reactors are designed to produce more nuclear fuel than they consume. They run on plutonium, a material that can also be used in nuclear weapons — a sensitivity that has drawn international attention to Japan's large stockpile of the material [238867].

Japan's government frames the reactors as a matter of energy security. The country imports most of its energy needs, and officials see the technology as a way to reduce that reliance on foreign fuel [238867]. The restart is also viewed as an effort to keep Japan's nuclear expertise alive after years of stagnation [238867].

The plan faces steep obstacles. Safety concerns remain high in the wake of Fukushima, and public opposition to nuclear power is strong [238867]. Cost is another problem: fast breeder reactors are expensive to build and operate [238867]. No timeline or budget for the new program has been confirmed [238867].

Sources

Japan rushes to revive plutonium reactors as China and Russia pull ahead #238867

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