The following is from an editorial in the Sankei Shimbun on April 25.
This editorial proves that the Sankei Shimbun is the most decent newspaper in Japan today.
The Asahi Shimbun and NHK have repeatedly reported anti-nuclear power, and activists have been coming out in the anti-nuclear movement.
This article makes us realize that they have been doing nothing but diminishing Japan's national power and benefiting China and South Korea.
It is also a paper that proves what I have repeatedly mentioned in this column is correct.
The online "Climate Change Summit," in which U.S. President Joe Biden served as an ally and invited leaders of 40 countries and regions around the world to participate, was held on April 22 and 23.
To achieve the "Paris Agreement" goal to prevent global warming, raise the greenhouse gas (mainly carbon dioxide) emission reduction target from the United States and Canada as of 2030, and reduce emissions to virtually zero. It showed a plan to move the time forward.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has proposed a 46% reduction target (compared to FY2013) for Japan. It is almost double the previous mark of 26% reduction, which was considered difficult to achieve.
It is a season of trials and tribulations for the industrial world that supports Japan's manufacturing industry.
"The 46% reduction is not well supported."
If we respect the partnership between Mr. Suga and Mr. Biden on the 16th and try to approach the U.S. 50-52% decrease (compared to 2005), it would be too reckless and ill-advised.
Prior to the summit, the European Union (E.U.) has set a target of more than 55% reduction, and the U.K. has set a target of 78% reduction by 1935.
However, they are both reduction rates compared to 1990, which can calculate high numbers.
Japan, which has been working on energy conservation since the 1970s, should not have been concerned about the high or low reduction rates. Still, it is unfortunate that some in the administration did not want to be "inferior" to the West.
In November, the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in the U.K.
The 46% reduction indicated by Mr. Suga is nothing more than a national reduction target (NDC) reported at the COP in line with the rules for reviewing the Paris Agreement's 30-year target every five years.
The government had planned to make a definite increase to the current 26% target for COP26 after the revision of the following "Basic Energy Plan" this summer. Still, the Biden administration's return of the U.S. to the Paris Agreement forced it to make a poor decision.
Although decarbonization has become a global trend, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions is a critical policy requirement that is deeply related to the country's economy and the lives of its citizens.
It sends a chill down the spine to think that it was decided based on mood.
The NDC will be questioned on the validity of the breakdown of the reduction measures.
Will the government be able to explain it well?
Even if hydrogen and ammonia are used as part of the fuel, the amount of reduction will not be significant.
As for renewable energy, offshore wind power is seen as a promising option, but it won't be easy to make it a mainstay in the short term.
Solar power is already causing friction in its location.
There is no other option but to restart nuclear power plants, which have been shut down since the Fukushima accident, to get close to the 46% reduction in the remaining nine years.
However, we do not hear any calls from the government for the active use of nuclear power.
How long are the politicians going to keep running away from nuclear power generation?
I hope that the government will take the opportunity to increase the 30-year target to consider the use of nuclear power.
"The way forward is high-temperature gas-cooled reactors."
This year's climate change summit also had the purpose of encouraging China, the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, of cooperating internationally in reducing its emissions.
One of the achievements of the summit was that it drew the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Mr. Xi declared, "We will reduce our coal consumption over the next 30 years.
This statement implies a significant expansion of nuclear power plants.
China is expected to overtake the U.S. as the world's largest nuclear power producer in terms of total power generation in 30 years.
China's coal-fired power generation is not only a source of air pollution, but the transportation of large amounts of coal is inefficient.
The switch to nuclear power will further boost China's economic power by decarbonizing and de-polluting the country and providing abundant and stable power.
There is no shortage of Chinese-made nuclear power plants for export.
China is also increasing its production of electric vehicles and solar panels.
China's decarbonization of climate change is also intertwined with global security and the struggle for hegemony.
Japan has put itself in a challenging position by announcing a 46% reduction, but it has a trump card to lead the world.
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has developed a next-generation nuclear power plant, the High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor.
These reactors are small modular reactors (SMRs), but they are incapable of core meltdown accidents in principle.
It can produce hydrogen from water while generating electricity.
At this year's annual conference of the Japan Atomic Energy Industries Association (JAIA), foreign experts expressed their expectations for HTGRs as a decarbonized energy source.
High-temperature gas-cooled reactors are consistent with virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions (carbon-neutral, C.N.) in 50 years.
There is no way to avoid developing this innovation.
