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Yomiuri Shimbun
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
KEPCO Eyes Building, Replacing Nuclear Reactors in Japan; 1st Time Geological Surveys to Be Resumed Since Fukushima Accident
Kansai Electric Power Co. has formulated its policy of resuming geological surveys to build a nuclear reactor and replace existing ones at the Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, it has been learned. The surveys had been suspended following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. If realized, it would be the first step toward building and replacing new nuclear reactors, which the government considers to be a part of decarbonization efforts. KEPCO started its geological surveys to construct a new reactor at the Mihama nuclear plant in 2010 but suspended them after the nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. After resuming the surveys, KEPCO plans to compile a basic design and submit applications for approval to the Nuclear Regulation Authority. If approved, KEPCO will proceed with construction. The company envisions building next-generation reactors, including advanced light-water reactors, which are considered to be very safe. According to sources, KEPCO plans to explain its policy to local governments and other concerned parties in the near No. 3 reactor at the Mihama nuclear plant is currently in operation, while Nos. 1 and 2 will be decommissioned. To ensure a stable supply of electricity, KEPCO believes it is necessary to accelerate such moves as replacing existing reactors. KEPCO President Nozomu Mori has made it clear the company will 'proceed with looking into the construction of a new nuclear reactor.' The operation of all nuclear power plants was suspended in Japan following the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. However, the process of restarting operations has been underway at KEPCO and other power companies, including Kyushu Electric Power Co. and Chugoku Electric Power Co. In October 2024, Tohoku Electric Power Co.'s Onagawa No. 2 reactor in Miyagi Prefecture was the first nuclear reactor to resume operations in eastern Japan since 2011. Kyushu Electric has also started to consider building a new reactor. The 7th Strategic Energy Plan, approved by the Cabinet in February this year, states it is necessary to maximize the use of decarbonized power sources, including nuclear power. The plan also eased the requirements for replacing existing reactors and states a target of having nuclear power generate 20% of the total electricity in fiscal 2040. Due to artificial intelligence becoming more widely used, data centers that consume large amounts of electricity are being constructed in various parts of the country, and demand for electricity is expected to increase. As nuclear reactors deteriorate with age, the government is said to have decided it is necessary to develop stable power sources as soon as possible. However, building a new nuclear reactor requires an investment of \500 billion to \1 trillion. As it creates a large financial burden on privately run electric companies, discussions on securing funds and building a support framework may accelerate in the future. 'We believe it is time to start seriously considering building a new reactor and replacing existing ones, taking into account the government's policies,' said a KEPCO representative. 'But we haven't made any decisions about specific plans at this point.'
Asahi Shimbun
11 hours ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Kansai Electric eyes start of a next-generation nuclear plant
Kansai Electric Power Co. is mulling whether to become the first utility to construct a new reactor since the 2011 triple meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. It is moving to hold meetings in the coming week with local governments in Fukui Prefecture where the utility already has nuclear plants to explain its intentions, sources said. In 2010, Kansai Electric officials began looking into replacing the No. 1 reactor at the Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui. In 2015, it decided to decommission the reactor. But the earthquake and tsunami disaster that crippled the Fukushima plant put paid to that plan. Because the study at Mihama was dropped after the Fukushima crisis, the most likely scenario would be to resume topographical and geographical studies around the Mihama area. This would have to be done from scratch. Kansai Electric currently operates seven reactors in Fukui Prefecture, the most of any major utility in Japan. Five of those reactors have been in operation for more than 40 years. Under revised legislation following the 2011 disaster, the operating life of reactors can be extended to 60 or more years if the Nuclear Regulation Authority gives approval. About 20 years are needed from initial studies before a new reactor can be built. Constructing or replacing reactors has been a major issue for utilities because many reactors began their working lives decades ago. Japan's nuclear policy has undergone a significant shift since the 2011 disaster. The government is now relying more on nuclear power, citing growing demand for clean energy with the increase in power-hungry database centers and the long-term goal of moving toward a carbon neutral future. Replacing existing reactors with next-generation innovative reactors was given the green light in basic guidelines for a green transformation of Japan's energy needs announced by the government in February 2023. In its energy basic plan compiled earlier this year, the government removed wording whenever possible about reducing dependence on nuclear power. The wording was standard stated policy in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident. The government's goal for fiscal 2040 is for nuclear energy to account for about 20 percent of the nation's total energy needs, double the current figure. Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori has repeatedly called for new nuclear reactors to be built as long as they can be operated profitably. One factor behind the latest move by Kansai Electric is the plan put together by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in June to support utilities by allowing them to tack on to electric bills a certain amount in the event estimated construction costs increase during the building process. A Kansai Electric executive acknowledged that the environment facing utilities has changed with renewed recognition of the value of nuclear energy as a way of moving toward a carbon neutral future, especially in comparison to the period soon after the Fukushima accident.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Lionesses celebrate dramatic penalty shootout win as heroic Hannah Hampton hailed
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was the player of the match as the Lionesses came from 2-0 down to beat Sweden in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the Women's Euros Hannah Hampton was the hero as England came from 2-0 down to beat Sweden in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Zurich. The Lionesses moved into the semi-finals of the Women's Euros in dramatic style after a chaotic finale – and there was no doubting the player of the match. Hampton made two crucial saves when one-on-one with a Sweden forward to keep Sarina Wiegman 's side in the contest. And after goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang turned things around in a matter of minutes, Hampton came up trumps once again in the shoot-out. While her Swedish counterpart Jennifer Falk kept out a remarkable four Lionesses' penalties, she was left heartbroken when she blazed her own spot-kick over the bar. Hampton made two saves of her own before Bronze smashed in her sudden-death effort before another Sweden effort went over to send England through to face Italy in the last four. Hampton only assumed the No.1 jersey recently, sparking the controversial international retirement of Mary Earps on the eve of the tournament, but the Chelsea goalkeeper looked the part on Thursday night. What made her performance in the shoot-out all the more impressive was the fact she had only minutes earlier sustained a bloody nose in a collision at a corner. Social media was alight with praise for the 24-year-old afterwards. 'Even with a tampon in her nose she smashed it,' one fan wrote on X. Another added: 'Build Hannah Hampton a statue!' A third said: 'Give her all the Swiss chocolate she wants. Well deserved. MVP of the game. When the team needed her she stepped up and did that countless times. Never blamed team. True Lioness hero.' Another said: 'Hannah Hampton is a hero. Literally gave blood, sweat, and tears to ensure her country got through to the semi-finals.' After being mobbed by her team-mates, Hampton spoke to the BBC. 'Right now, I don't know [where my emotions are],' she said. 'It's all gone so quick, that last bit and the penalty shootout. We're very happy, obviously, you can see the celebrations, cheering with the fans. They were behind us the whole game, even when we were 2-0 down. "They knew we could bring this back and you don't ever write us off. It was stressful. Stressful watching, stressful playing. Every time I saved one I was thinking 'please put it in' so we have a bit of a cushion. I'm just happy and relieved now." Wiegman's decision to make Hampton her No.1 has paid off and the England boss showered her with praise post-match. 'She didn't have [any] doubters in our bubble. I think she had a very impressive performance,' Wiegman said. 'She had some very good saves in the second half. She had one penalty on the right side that was an incredible save. Pretty big contribution today.' Hampton believes the comeback shows the fight in the squad, with the substitutes playing a massive part in the win. 'It shows proper England is back,' she said. 'We're going in the right direction. I think you know that everyone would be putting their bodies on the line. Literally you could see that out there. We said at half-time, 'we don't want to go home, so it's down to us to turn the game around'.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
China Partially Eases Ban on Seafood Imports from Japan; Permission Granted for 449 Marine Items from 37 Prefectures
BEIJING — Chinese customs authorities have granted permission for the import of 449 fisheries items from Japan, such as scallops, tuna and yellowtail, it was learned Thursday. The Japanese and Chinese governments have agreed to lift the import ban on Japanese seafood products for the first time in about two years. Chinese customs has released a list of the items freed from the ban on its website. The items allowed to be imported from Japan include shrimp, octopus, oysters, salmon and abalone. Procedures are underway for China's resumption of seafood imports as Chinese customs authorities reregistered three Japanese fisheries companies on July 11. However, the ban has only been lifted for seafood products from 37 prefectures. China imposed the import ban in August 2023 following the release of treated water into the ocean from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The ban remains in place for seafood from 10 prefectures, such as Fukushima and Ibaraki, on which Beijing placed the ban in the wake of the nuclear accident at the plant in 2011.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
BoA Cancels 25th Anniversary Concert Due to Knee Surgery: A Heartbreaking Update for K-Pop Fans
In a devastating blow to the K-Pop world, Asia's sweetheart BoA has been forced to cancel her highly anticipated 25th anniversary concert due to a serious knee condition that requires immediate surgical intervention. The shocking announcement has left millions of fans across Asia heartbroken and worried about the future of their beloved idol's career. The Crushing Medical Diagnosis SM Entertainment dropped the bombshell news on July 15, revealing that BoA had been diagnosed with acute osteonecrosis in her knee. The condition, which occurs when bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply, has been causing the singer excruciating pain and threatens to end her legendary dancing career if left untreated. The 38-year-old superstar had been experiencing severe knee pain that progressively worsened, forcing her to seek medical attention. Doctors delivered the harsh reality that she must undergo surgery immediately and completely avoid any strenuous physical activity, including the high-energy dance performances that have defined her quarter-century career. Career-Defining Concert Scrapped The cancellation hits particularly hard as BoA was set to celebrate her remarkable 25-year journey with a special fifth solo concert at Seoul's Jamsil Indoor Stadium on August 30-31. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The milestone event was meant to be a triumphant celebration of her evolution from a 13-year-old rookie to the undisputed Queen of K-Pop. According to industry estimates, the concert cancellation could result in financial losses of approximately ₹12-15 crores (considering production costs, venue bookings, and potential refunds). The ripple effects extend beyond just monetary concerns, as this was supposed to be BoA's grand return to the concert stage after focusing on other projects. Silver Lining for Devoted Fans Despite the concert setback, SM Entertainment assured fans that BoA's 25th anniversary album will still be released as planned in the third quarter of 2025. The completed album represents years of artistic growth and was specifically crafted to commemorate her incredible journey from teenage sensation to mature artist. The agency emphasized their commitment to BoA's health, stating that future concert possibilities will depend entirely on her recovery progress following the surgery. This uncertainty has left fans anxiously waiting for updates on their idol's condition and potential return to performing. The Legend's Incredible Journey BoA's story reads like a fairy tale - debuting at just 13 years old in 2000, she quickly conquered not only South Korea but the entire Asian market with hits like "No.1," "Valenti," and "Hurricane Venus". Her success earned her the prestigious title "Asia's Star," making her one of the first K-Pop artists to achieve true international recognition. Beyond her singing career, BoA has successfully transitioned into producing, most notably working with NCT Wish, and has maintained her relevance across multiple entertainment sectors including acting and variety shows. Her influence on the current generation of K-Pop stars cannot be overstated.
