Why does Japan resort to nuclear energy?

Nuclear is an outstanding power source for mitigating global warming. Japan’s electric power companies have been striving to utilize nuclear power as the key to combining environmental conservation with economic growth and energy security.

How did the 2011 Japan tsunami also cause a nuclear emergency?

At the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the gigantic wave surged over defences and flooded the reactors, sparking a major disaster. Authorities set up an exclusion zone which grew larger and larger as radiation leaked from the plant, forcing more than 150,000 people to evacuate from the area.

Why are nuclear power plants near the coast?

In order to safely handle the enormous amounts of heat produced by nuclear fission, these power plants rely on a cooling system. As water is a great way to cool down a reactor, many plants are located along rivers and coasts where water is plentiful and free.

When was Fukushima reactor built?

1971
The first unit of the nuclear station was commissioned in 1971. In total, the station has six boiling water reactors which together have a power generation capacity of 4.69GW. Fukushima Dai-Ichi was the first nuclear plant to be constructed and operated entirely by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

Does Japan support nuclear energy?

Japan needs to import about 90\% of its energy requirements. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in mid-1966, and nuclear energy has been a national strategic priority since 1973. This came under review following the 2011 Fukushima accident but has been confirmed.

What happened to the nuclear reactors in Japan after the tsunami?

Following a major earthquake, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, causing a nuclear accident beginning on 11 March 2011. All three cores largely melted in the first three days.