Japan PM Kishida orders new nuclear power plant construction

Major shift in energy policy would focus on next-generation types of facilities

20220824 Niigata nuclear plant

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings' Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture. © Kyodo

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan is entering a new phase in its nuclear energy strategy, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordering Wednesday the development and construction of next-generation nuclear power plants.

This marks a major shift from the country's post-Fukushima policy of backing away from the building of new nuclear power plants. The move would help Japan reduce its reliance on energy imports amid a global energy crunch and avoid strains on a power grid that has been pushed to its limit this summer.

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