anxiety about nuclear power is behind this opposition. Debate has failed to narrow
the differences between the two viewpoints.
Comprehensive and quantitative economic and environmental assessment is
required to make the debate more constructive. This chapter assesses the importance
of nuclear power from the viewpoints of gross domestic product (GDP) and carbon
dioxide emissions in Japan. The assessment is conducted using a computable general
equilibrium (CGE) model. CGE models are widely used to analyze the economic
impacts of trade, energy, and environmental policies. Through the CGE model,
scenarios with and without nuclear power are compared.
10.2 Consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Accident
On March 11, 2011, nuclear reactors located in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
power station were damaged by a tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Nuclear meltdown occurred at reactors No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, causing
leakage of radioactive materials. Within a few days, hydrogen explosions occurred
in reactors No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4.
In addition to leaking radioactivity, East Japan suffered a severe electricity
shortage in the aftermath of the accident. In order to close the gap between electricity
supply and demand, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) implemented
rolling blackouts across many cities in suburban Tokyo for 3–6 h daily from March
14 to March 28 in 2011. In summer of the same year, the government ordered highvolume users of TEPCO and the Tohoku Electric Power Corporation to reduce their
electricity usage by 15% from the previous year during peak weekday hours. This
order was effective from July 1, 2011, to September 9, 2011. In September 2012, the
Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) was launched in Japan. In April 2013, the
NRA proposed new safety standards, requiring electric power companies to make
many improvements to nuclear plants. Further, even if the electric power companies
pass an inspection by the NRA, local governments of the area in which a nuclear
power station is located is required to give permission to allow idle reactors to
resume activity. Nationwide and local public anxiety about existing nuclear power
reactors has made it difficult for local governments to grant approval. Figure 10.1
shows total power generation and power source composition from 2007 to 2017 in
Japan. After the accident in 2011, the contribution of nuclear power generation to
Japanese electricity generation is negligible.
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M. Yamazaki and W. Zhou
the differences between the two viewpoints.
Comprehensive and quantitative economic and environmental assessment is
required to make the debate more constructive. This chapter assesses the importance
of nuclear power from the viewpoints of gross domestic product (GDP) and carbon
dioxide emissions in Japan. The assessment is conducted using a computable general
equilibrium (CGE) model. CGE models are widely used to analyze the economic
impacts of trade, energy, and environmental policies. Through the CGE model,
scenarios with and without nuclear power are compared.
10.2 Consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Accident
On March 11, 2011, nuclear reactors located in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
power station were damaged by a tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Nuclear meltdown occurred at reactors No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, causing
leakage of radioactive materials. Within a few days, hydrogen explosions occurred
in reactors No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4.
In addition to leaking radioactivity, East Japan suffered a severe electricity
shortage in the aftermath of the accident. In order to close the gap between electricity
supply and demand, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) implemented
rolling blackouts across many cities in suburban Tokyo for 3–6 h daily from March
14 to March 28 in 2011. In summer of the same year, the government ordered highvolume users of TEPCO and the Tohoku Electric Power Corporation to reduce their
electricity usage by 15% from the previous year during peak weekday hours. This
order was effective from July 1, 2011, to September 9, 2011. In September 2012, the
Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) was launched in Japan. In April 2013, the
NRA proposed new safety standards, requiring electric power companies to make
many improvements to nuclear plants. Further, even if the electric power companies
pass an inspection by the NRA, local governments of the area in which a nuclear
power station is located is required to give permission to allow idle reactors to
resume activity. Nationwide and local public anxiety about existing nuclear power
reactors has made it difficult for local governments to grant approval. Figure 10.1
shows total power generation and power source composition from 2007 to 2017 in
Japan. After the accident in 2011, the contribution of nuclear power generation to
Japanese electricity generation is negligible.
186
M. Yamazaki and W. Zhou