Japan: Japan needs to rebuild between two and five ageing nuclear reactors by the 2040s and as many as 11 to 14 by the 2050s to secure a stable power supply, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a policy proposal on Friday. The proposal underscores the country's strategic pivot towards harnessing atomic energy to address increasing power requirements and mitigate the financial burden of fuel imports.

According to Emirates News Agency, the policy proposal was unveiled during a meeting focused on nuclear policy. It indicates a significant shift towards greater reliance on nuclear energy as a solution to the country's escalating electricity demand, which is anticipated to surge due to the proliferation of data centres catering to artificial intelligence technologies.

Under the current energy strategy, Japan plans to amplify the proportion of nuclear power in its electricity mix to about 20 percent by fiscal 2040, a notable increase from the 9.4 percent recorded in fiscal year 2024. This strategic move aims to bolster the nation's energy security and economic stability.