Japan's nuclear tech exports shift focus from plants to parts

Industry ministry changes tack with eye on decarbonization in Europe and beyond

20220406N Ohi plant

Japan's Ohi nuclear power plant. Nuclear construction in Japan has come to a standstill since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster. © Reuters

JUNTARO ARAI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan will start backing exports of nuclear power plant components under a new clean energy strategy, as cost and safety concerns derail new Japanese-built projects at home and overseas.

The plan represents a major shift for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which traditionally had focused on boosting exports of entire nuclear power plants by Japanese builders like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi. But the cost of safety measures introduced following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown has derailed Japanese public-private projects in countries like Turkey.

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