Statement by Minister Edano on Hitachi’s entry into the new construction program of nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom

October 30, 2012

1. Hitachi, Ltd. ("Hitachi") has announced today that it concluded a contract for the purchase of the entire stock of Horizon Nuclear Power, which is planning the new construction of nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom.
2. The UK government, which is promoting the new construction program of nuclear power plants with the objectives of addressing climate change and ensuring security of energy supplies, has released a statement that it welcomed the conclusion of the contract and the Hitachi's entry into the UK nuclear energy market.
3. The Japanese government recognizes that it is the responsibility of Japan to contribute to strengthening nuclear safety worldwide by sharing with the world its experience and lessons derived from the nuclear accident of last year, and to offer its nuclear technologies of the highest standard in safety in the world to those foreign countries which wish to utilize nuclear technologies of our country, taking into account the situation and will of those countries.
4. The Joint Statement of the Prime Ministers of Japan and the UK was issued on April 10, 2012 together with the Japan-UK Framework on Civil Nuclear Co-operation, which underlines the importance of bilateral civil nuclear co-operation.
5. From this standpoint, the Japanese government also welcomes the conclusion of the contract and expects that Hitachi will contribute to the improvement of nuclear safety through Horizon Nuclear Power.

Nuclear Energy Policy Planning Division, Electricity and Gas Industry Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy