Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

10:56 to 11:03 a.m.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

Consideration by Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. of undertaking a geological survey at the Mihama Nuclear Power Station

Q: I understand that the president of Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. will provide an explanation today about the company's resumption of its geological survey at the Mihama Nuclear Power Station. If a new nuclear power station is built, it will be the first time since the Great East Japan Earthquake. I would like to first ask your view on the emergence of such specific moves toward the construction of a new nuclear power station.

A: As you just mentioned, I have heard that Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. will be holding a press conference this afternoon. At this time, as nothing has been announced by the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., I would like to refrain from making any comments on the matter. With that said, as outlined in the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, the government believes that in order to secure decarbonized power sources, given that a significant loss of supply capacity from nuclear power plants is expected in the future, it is necessary to proceed with measures such as ensuring safety and replacing existing reactors with next-generation innovative reactors, based on the fundamental premise of gaining the understanding of local communities.

Support for the construction of new nuclear power plants

Q: I think the challenges facing the construction of new nuclear power plants include the huge construction costs and long construction lead times. Could you explain what kind of support the government is considering in this regard?

A: This is a question regarding the utilization of a decarbonized power source auction. To answer in general terms, the government's support for nuclear power plants is through the long-term decarbonized power source auctions that you just mentioned, which are aimed at encouraging new investment in decarbonized power sources, as well as through research and development of next-generation innovative reactors, and the maintenance and strengthening of the nuclear supply chain. As you say, I believe that we will need to continue to conduct necessary reviews going forward.

Relationship between the construction of new nuclear power plants and the Strategic Energy Plan

Q: Regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant at the Mihama Nuclear Power Station, I understand that the operators will make announcements about new constructions in the future. Generally speaking, with regard to the construction of new nuclear power plants, I think there is a view that the change in nuclear power policy brought about by the latest Strategic Energy Plan may have acted as a tailwind. Regarding the construction of new nuclear power plants, I would like to ask how the government views the emergence of such activity..

A: As I mentioned earlier, the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan also includes the utilization of nuclear power. However, as I also mentioned at an on-the-move interview about the Mihama Nuclear Power Station, I believe that the fundamental premises for nuclear power policy are ensuring safety and the understanding of the people, which requires the understanding of local communities. Therefore, I believe that this is a matter that we need to continue to consider while paying attention to today’s announcement by the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. At the same time, as there are still various issues that need to be addressed, such as final disposal sites of high-level radioactive waste and back-end issues, I believe that we are in a situation where we need to continue to explain the situation to the public, taking these points into consideration, in order to gain their understanding.