Japan Press Weekly

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2013 January 9 - 15 [POLITICS]

Y1.36 billion will be used to promote NPP exports

The industry ministry intends to spend 1.36 billion yen for the promotion of Japan’s export of nuclear power plants during the next fiscal year. With the Liberal Democratic Party’s return to power, the government has begun to show an aggressive intent to sell the nation’s nuclear power plant technology abroad.

The ministry plans to use the money, which was included in the ministry’s budget request for FY2013, to pay Japanese corporations to carry out various research such as geological research and environmental impact assessments, in association with the government’s plan to construct nuclear power plants in other countries.

Japan’s major nuclear power plant equipment manufacturers, including Toshiba, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are expected to receive the ministry’s financial support.

The ministry will also request 3.2 billion yen in the next budget for research and development on improving the safety of nuclear power generation. The money will be provided to nuclear power-related entities such as the Japan Atomic Energy Agency which operates the fast-breeder reactor “Monju”.