Japan to ditch nuclear power

The Japanese government has confirmed it will phase out nuclear power over the course of the next 30 years, following the massive earthquake and tsunami which caused a meltdown at the Fukushima power plant in 2011.

Japan's "strong and growing public demand to ditch nuclear power"

Prime minister Yoshihiko Noda confirmed the country's first comprehensive energy review since the disaster in March last year.

Under the plans, Japan's 50 existing reactors will be forced to shut down when they reach a 40-year lifespan. No new plants will be built, meaning that most reactors will be shut down completely by the year 2040. Prior to the accident, nuclear supplied about 30 per cent of Japan's demand. However, there is now a strong and growing public resentment towards the energy source.

To help fill the energy gap, Japan plans to boost the share of renewable power in its energy mix to 30 per cent. It will also aim to cut energy consumption by at least 10 per cent less than 2010 levels, by boosting energy efficiency measures.

Japan's announcement means it will follow Germany and Switzerland in abandoning nuclear because of the Fukushima disaster, albeit at a slower pace.

German chancellor Angela Merkel has already permanently switched off 17 nuclear plants while another nine will be closed by 2022.

The news was welcomed by anti-nuclear campaigners, including Friends of the Earth, which urged the UK government to follow in Japan's footsteps.

"Fukushima reminded the world how risky nuclear power can be - Japan's landmark move sends a strong signal to other nuclear powers," said Andrew Pendleton, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth.

"Britain should follow suit. We've got a bounty of renewable energy at our fingertips that are already falling in cost and which, together with energy saving and smart technologies, can meet our electricity needs."