Latest news with #YojiMuto
News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
Japan To Revive Nuclear Reactor Project At Mihama Site 14 Years After Fukushima Disaster
Last Updated: The proposed development would take place at the Mihama site in Fukui Prefecture. Japan is preparing to restart a long-paused nuclear reactor project, more than a decade after halting all new development following the devastating 2011 tsunami. Kansai Electric Power, one of the country's major utility companies, confirmed the plans in a recent announcement on July 22, stating that the government will soon begin assessing the feasibility of constructing a new reactor, Reuters reported. The proposed development would take place at the Mihama site in Fukui Prefecture, a region already home to several nuclear facilities. This initiative marks the first major step toward building a new nuclear reactor since the infamous meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power's Fukushima plant, which led to Japan's worst nuclear crisis in history. The revival of the project comes just months after the Japanese government revised its nuclear policy in February 2025. Under the updated framework, Japan aims to generate 20% of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2040. This ambitious goal not only supports the restart of existing reactors but also the construction of new-generation plants, like the one proposed at Mihama. Before the Fukushima disaster, Japan operated 54 nuclear reactors. However, safety concerns led to widespread shutdowns. As of now, only a little over a dozen reactors are operational, collectively generating about 12 gigawatts of electricity. As part of the feasibility survey, the government will evaluate the topography, geology, and other site-specific factors necessary for the safe development of a nuclear reactor. According to a report by the Financial Times, Kansai Electric believes the resurgence of nuclear power is essential for Japan's energy security, economic growth, and carbon emissions reduction. 'In a resource-poor country like Japan, we need to think about how to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, especially with the growth of new industries," said Nozomu Mori, President of Kansai Electric. Japan remains heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports for its energy needs. By investing in nuclear energy, the country hopes to create a more stable and self-sufficient energy future for its citizens. 'With a significant loss of nuclear power supply expected, it is necessary to rebuild with next-generation reactors, based on the premise of ensuring safety and gaining local understanding, to secure decarbonised power sources," Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto stated on Tuesday. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Japan sees bright future for ultra-thin, flexible solar panels
Agencies Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector. Pliable perovskite panels are perfect for mountainous Japan, with its shortage of flat plots for traditional solar farms. And a key component of the panels is iodine, something Japan produces more of than any country but Chile. The push faces some obstacles: perovskite panels contain toxic lead, and, for now, produce less power and have shorter lifespans than their silicon counterparts. Still, with a goal of net-zero by 2050 and a desire to break China's solar supremacy, perovskite cells are 'our best card to achieve both decarbonization and industrial competitiveness,' minister of industry Yoji Muto said in November. 'We need to succeed in their implementation in society at all costs,' he said. The government is offering generous incentives to get industry on board, including a 157-billion-yen ($1 billion) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory to produce enough perovskite solar panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027, enough to power 30,000 households. By 2040, Japan wants to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to adding about 20 nuclear reactors. That should help Japan's target to have renewable energy cover up to 50 percent of electricity demand by 2040. The nation is looking to solar power, including perovskite and silicon-based solar cells, to cover up to 29 percent of all electricity demand by that time, a sharp rise from 9.8 percent in 2023. 'To increase the amount of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality, I think we will have to mobilize all the technologies available,' said Hiroshi Segawa, a specialist in next-generation solar technology at the University of Tokyo. 'Perovskite solar panels can be built domestically, from the raw materials to production to installation. In that sense, they could significantly contribute to things like energy security and economic security,' he told AFP. Tokyo wants to avoid a repeat of the past boom and bust of the Japanese solar business. In the early 2000s, Japanese-made silicon solar panels accounted for almost half the global market. Now, China controls more than 80 percent of the global solar supply chain, from the production of key raw material to assembling modules. Silicon solar panels are made of thin wafers that are processed into cells that generate electricity. They must be protected by reinforced glass sheets and metal frames, making the final products heavy and cumbersome. Perovskite solar cells, however, are created by printing or painting ingredients such as iodine and lead onto surfaces like film or sheet glass. The final product can be just a millimeter thick and a tenth the weight of a conventional silicon solar cell. Perovskite panels' malleability means they can be installed on uneven and curved surfaces, a key feature in Japan, where 70 percent of the country is mountainous. The panels are already being incorporated into several projects, including a 46-story Tokyo building to be completed by 2028. The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also said it wants to cover a domed baseball stadium with perovskite panels. And major electronics brand Panasonic is working on integrating perovskite into windowpanes. 'What if all of these windows had solar cells integrated in them?' said Yukihiro Kaneko, general manager of Panasonic's perovskite PV development department, gesturing to the glass-covered high-rise buildings surrounding the firm's Tokyo office.
Japan Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan sees bright future for ultra-thin, flexible solar panels
Japan is hoping ultra-thin, flexible solar panels made from perovskite will help it meet renewable energy goals. By Hiroshi HIYAMA Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector. Pliable perovskite panels are perfect for mountainous Japan, with its shortage of flat plots for traditional solar farms. And a key component of the panels is iodine, something Japan produces more of than any country but Chile. The push faces some obstacles: perovskite panels contain toxic lead, and, for now, produce less power and have shorter lifespans than their silicon counterparts. Still, with a goal of net-zero by 2050 and a desire to break China's solar supremacy, perovskite cells are "our best card to achieve both decarbonization and industrial competitiveness," minister of industry Yoji Muto said in November. "We need to succeed in their implementation in society at all costs," he said. The government is offering generous incentives to get industry on board, including a 157-billion-yen ($1 billion) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory to produce enough perovskite solar panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027, enough to power 30,000 households. By 2040, Japan wants to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to adding about 20 nuclear reactors. That should help Japan's target to have renewable energy cover up to 50 percent of electricity demand by 2040. The nation is looking to solar power, including perovskite and silicon-based solar cells, to cover up to 29 percent of all electricity demand by that time, a sharp rise from 9.8 percent in 2023. "To increase the amount of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality, I think we will have to mobilize all the technologies available," said Hiroshi Segawa, a specialist in next-generation solar technology at the University of Tokyo. "Perovskite solar panels can be built domestically, from the raw materials to production to installation. In that sense, they could significantly contribute to things like energy security and economic security," he told AFP. Tokyo wants to avoid a repeat of the past boom and bust of the Japanese solar business. In the early 2000s, Japanese-made silicon solar panels accounted for almost half the global market. Now, China controls more than 80 percent of the global solar supply chain, from the production of key raw material to assembling modules. Silicon solar panels are made of thin wafers that are processed into cells that generate electricity. They must be protected by reinforced glass sheets and metal frames, making the final products heavy and cumbersome. Perovskite solar cells, however, are created by printing or painting ingredients such as iodine and lead onto surfaces like film or sheet glass. The final product can be just a millimeter thick and a tenth the weight of a conventional silicon solar cell. Perovskite panels' malleability means they can be installed on uneven and curved surfaces, a key feature in Japan, where 70 percent of the country is mountainous. The panels are already being incorporated into several projects, including a 46-story Tokyo building to be completed by 2028. The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also said it wants to cover a domed baseball stadium with perovskite panels. And major electronics brand Panasonic is working on integrating perovskite into windowpanes. "What if all of these windows had solar cells integrated in them?" said Yukihiro Kaneko, general manager of Panasonic's perovskite PV development department, gesturing to the glass-covered high-rise buildings surrounding the firm's Tokyo office. That would allow power to be generated where it is used, and reduce the burden on the national grid, Kaneko added. For all the enthusiasm, perovskite panels remain far from mass production. They are less efficient than their silicon counterparts, and have a lifespan of just a decade, compared to 30 years for conventional units. The toxic lead they contain also means they need careful disposal after use. However, the technology is advancing fast. Some prototypes can perform nearly as powerfully as silicon panels and their durability is expected to reach 20 years soon. University professor Segawa believes Japan could have a capacity of 40 gigawatts from perovskite by 2040, while the technology could also speed up renewable uptake elsewhere. "We should not think of it as either silicon or perovskite. We should look at how we can maximize our ability to utilize renewable energy," Segawa said. "If Japan could show a good model, I think it can be brought overseas." © 2025 AFP
The Star
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Japan sees bright future for flexible solar panels
TOKYO: Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector. Pliable perovskite panels are perfect for mountainous Japan, with its shortage of flat plots for traditional solar farms. And a key component of the panels is iodine, something Japan produces more of than any country but Chile. The push faces some obstacles: perovskite panels contain toxic lead and, for now, produce less power and have shorter lifespans than their silicon counterparts. Still, with a goal of net-zero by 2050 and a desire to break China's solar supremacy, perovskite cells are 'our best card to achieve both decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness,' industry minister Yoji Muto said in November. 'We need to succeed in their implementation in society at all costs,' he said. The government is offering generous incentives to get industry on board, including a 157-billion-yen (US$1bil) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory to produce enough perovskite solar panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027, enough to power 30,000 households. By 2040, Japan wants to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, equivalent to adding about 20 nuclear reactors. That should help Japan's target to have renewable energy cover up to 50% of electricity demand by 2040. The nation is looking to solar power, including perovskite and silicon-based solar cells, to cover up to 29% of all electricity demand by that time, a sharp rise from 9.8% in 2023. 'To increase the amount of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality, I think we will have to mobilise all the technologies available,' said Hiroshi Segawa, a specialist in next-generation solar technology at the University of Tokyo. 'Perovskite solar panels can be built domestically, from the raw materials to production to installation. 'In that sense, they could significantly contribute to things like energy security and economic security,' he told AFP. Tokyo wants to avoid a repeat of the past boom and bust of the Japanese solar business. In the early 2000s, Japanese-made silicon solar panels accounted for almost half the global market. Now, China controls more than 80% of the global solar supply chain, from the production of key raw materials to assembling modules. Silicon solar panels are made of thin wafers that are processed into cells that generate electricity. They must be protected by reinforced glass sheets and metal frames, making the final products heavy and cumbersome. Perovskite solar cells, however, are created by printing or painting ingredients such as iodine and lead onto surfaces like film or sheet glass. The final product can be just a millimetre thick and a tenth the weight of a conventional silicon solar cell. Perovskite panels' malleability means they can be installed on uneven and curved surfaces, a key feature in Japan, where 70% of the country is mountainous. The panels are already being incorporated into several projects, including a 46-storey Tokyo building to be completed by 2028. The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also said it wants to cover a domed baseball stadium with perovskite panels. And major electronics brand Panasonic is working on integrating perovskite into windowpanes. 'What if all of these windows had solar cells integrated in them?' said Yukihiro Kaneko, general manager of Panasonic's perovskite production validation development department, gesturing to the glass-covered high-rise buildings surrounding the firm's Tokyo office. 'That would allow power to be generated where it is used and reduce the burden on the national grid,' Kaneko added. For all the enthusiasm, perovskite panels remain far from mass production. They are less efficient than their silicon counterparts and have a lifespan of just a decade, compared to 30 years for conventional units. The toxic lead they contain also means they need careful disposal after use. However, the technology is advancing fast. Some prototypes can perform nearly as powerfully as silicon panels, and their durability is expected to reach 20 years soon. University professor Segawa believes Japan could have a capacity of 40 GW from perovskite by 2040, while the technology could also speed up renewable uptake elsewhere. 'We should not think of it as either silicon or perovskite. We should look at how we can maximise our ability to utilise renewable energy,' Segawa said. 'If Japan could show a good model, I think it can be brought overseas.' — AFP
Malay Mail
20-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Japan's solar revolution: How ultra-thin perovskite panels could reshape the energy landscape and break China's hold
TOKYO, July 21 — Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector. Pliable perovskite panels are perfect for mountainous Japan, with its shortage of flat plots for traditional solar farms. And a key component of the panels is iodine, something Japan produces more of than any country but Chile. The push faces some obstacles: perovskite panels contain toxic lead, and, for now, produce less power and have shorter lifespans than their silicon counterparts. Still, with a goal of net-zero by 2050 and a desire to break China's solar supremacy, perovskite cells are 'our best card to achieve both decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness,' minister of industry Yoji Muto said in November. 'We need to succeed in their implementation in society at all costs,' he said. The government is offering generous incentives to get industry on board, including a 157-billion-yen (RM4.48 billion) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory to produce enough perovskite solar panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027, enough to power 30,000 households. By 2040, Japan wants to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to adding about 20 nuclear reactors. That should help Japan's target to have renewable energy cover up to 50 percent of electricity demand by 2040. Breaking the silicon ceiling The nation is looking to solar power, including perovskite and silicon-based solar cells, to cover up to 29 per cent of all electricity demand by that time, a sharp rise from 9.8 per cent in 2023. This photo taken on April 24, 2025 shows perovskite solar panels on display at the Okuma Town Hall in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture. — AFP pic 'To increase the amount of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality, I think we will have to mobilise all the technologies available,' said Hiroshi Segawa, a specialist in next-generation solar technology at the University of Tokyo. 'Perovskite solar panels can be built domestically, from the raw materials to production to installation. In that sense, they could significantly contribute to things like energy security and economic security,' he told AFP. Tokyo wants to avoid a repeat of the past boom and bust of the Japanese solar business. In the early 2000s, Japanese-made silicon solar panels accounted for almost half the global market. Now, China controls more than 80 per cent of the global solar supply chain, from the production of key raw material to assembling modules. Silicon solar panels are made of thin wafers that are processed into cells that generate electricity. They must be protected by reinforced glass sheets and metal frames, making the final products heavy and cumbersome. Perovskite solar cells, however, are created by printing or painting ingredients such as iodine and lead onto surfaces like film or sheet glass. The final product can be just a millimetre thick and a tenth the weight of a conventional silicon solar cell. Perovskite panels' malleability means they can be installed on uneven and curved surfaces, a key feature in Japan, where 70 percent of the country is mountainous. Generating where power is used The panels are already being incorporated into several projects, including a 46-storey Tokyo building to be completed by 2028. The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also said it wants to cover a domed baseball stadium with perovskite panels. And major electronics brand Panasonic is working on integrating perovskite into windowpanes. 'What if all of these windows had solar cells integrated in them?' said Yukihiro Kaneko, general manager of Panasonic's perovskite PV development department, gesturing to the glass-covered high-rise buildings surrounding the firm's Tokyo office. That would allow power to be generated where it is used, and reduce the burden on the national grid, Kaneko added. This photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows Yukihiro Kaneko, Panasonic's research officer, holding a perovskite panel. — AFP pic For all the enthusiasm, perovskite panels remain far from mass production. They are less efficient than their silicon counterparts, and have a lifespan of just a decade, compared to 30 years for conventional units. The toxic lead they contain also means they need careful disposal after use. However, the technology is advancing fast. Some prototypes can perform nearly as powerfully as silicon panels and their durability is expected to reach 20 years soon. University professor Segawa believes Japan could have a capacity of 40 gigawatts from perovskite by 2040, while the technology could also speed up renewable uptake elsewhere. 'We should not think of it as either silicon or perovskite. We should look at how we can maximise our ability to utilise renewable energy,' Segawa said. 'If Japan could show a good model, I think it can be brought overseas.' — AFP
