Takaichi, an advocate of nuclear power, including next-generation fusion energy, has also voiced support for perovskite solar cells – technologies Japan can potentially export – and opposed massive solar projects given their reliance on panels imported from China and the environmental impact.
Costly large-scale renewables projects including offshore wind, already hit by Mitsubishi’s withdrawal, may get less political support, industry insiders say.
“Takaichi … in the long term, is unlikely to provide much support for the industry, as she favours nuclear restarts,” said an industry source involved in offshore wind policy discussions.
ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION
Ahead of Trump’s visit to Japan, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Tokyo to stop buying Russian energy, which mainly consists of LNG that accounts for 9 per cent of Japan’s imports of the fuel.
While playing down political pressure, Japan signed new US LNG purchase deals this year but stopped short of hard commitments to the US$44 billion yet-to-be-built Alaska LNG project, under the wider bilateral trade agreement negotiated by Akazawa.
“His ability to maintain dialogue with the US government, including on energy matters, is a positive factor,” said a high-ranked Japan utility company source.
Akazawa, a 64-year-old English-speaker, understands the importance of affordable power, said Tom O’Sullivan, director with Mathyos Global Advisory in Tokyo.
“There is also international pressure on Japan to cease purchasing Sakhalin-sourced LNG so that will also apply pressure to accelerate the restart of nuclear plants,” he said.
Source: CNA
