A discussion on the nation's direction on energy policy up until 2030 is now unfolding all around Japan. What kind of energy Japan uses and whether it abandons or keeps its nuclear power plants are issues that affect not only the Japanese, but the rest of the world and the generations to come.

The government is presently gathering opinions from citizens on energy options through a website, email, fax and other media during a period of public comment set to end on August 12^th. In view of this effort, JFS hopes to gather opinions from people around the world and communicate the results to the Japanese government, media, and through other channels. Thus we would like to conduct an international opinion poll on "Japan's energy policy." Please take a few minutes to answer the three questions below for Japan's sake.

Please read the background information on the present domestic discussion and energy options and let us know what you think. We look forward eagerly to your reply!

- Survey questions input form
https://www.tfaforms.com/251924

Background

Under the Basic Act on Energy Policy adopted in 2002, Japan's Strategic Energy Plan is revised every three years.

The second revision of the Strategic Energy Plan adopted in June 2010 laid emphasis on climate change measures and called for the construction of 14 or more additional nuclear power plants and a large increase in Japan's ratio of dependence on electricity generated by nuclear power. In 2010, Japan had 54 nuclear power plants which provided 26% of the nation's electrical power supply, and the 2010 Strategic Energy Plan called for an increase in this percentage to 45% by 2030.

However, after the accident that occurred at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor on March 11, 2011, this Plan, with its provisions for a large increase in nuclear power, was scrapped, and a process for re-creating a new Strategic Energy Plan from scratch was initiated. This process is set to finish by the end of August this year (2012).

To carry out this process, a Cabinet-level "Energy and Environment Council" was set up, and after more than six months of deliberations under the auspices of this Council, the Fundamental Issues Sub-Committee of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy identified options for the energy mix; the Central Environmental Council identified options for climate change measures; and the Japan Atomic Energy Commission identified options for nuclear fuel recycling. The Energy and Environment Council then presented three consolidated options to the public at the end of June this year.

The government's basic stance is to "reduce Japan's dependency on nuclear power as much as possible," but opinions remain divided on the following questions;

• How long should this process take?
• To what level should nuclear power be reduced?
• What kind of energy should replace reduced nuclear outputs?
• How much money should be spent to change the underlying structures of citizens' lives and industrial activity?

The Three Options

(The government's explanations of each scenario)

The Zero Scenario

• Reduce the nuclear power dependence ratio to zero as soon as possible before 2030.
• Adopt a nuclear fuel cycle policy of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel without reprocessing.
• Greater achievements in renewable energy and energy conservation will be needed to achieve the zero nuclear option.
• Suitably elevated levels of renewable energy availability, energy conservation and shifts to gas will be implemented even if a considerable burden is placed on the economy by the widespread application of strict regulations such as limited or prohibited sales of goods with inferior energy conservation performance.
• Through these measures, the fossil fuel dependence ratio will be as far as possible reduced, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions that is not inferior to the other scenarios.

The 15% Scenario

• Gradually reduce dependence on nuclear power to reach 15% by 2030, while smoothly meeting needs to reduce fossil fuel dependence and CO2 emissions.
• This percentage will be more or less reached as new nuclear power safety regulations that limit the duration of nuclear power plant operation to 40 years are applied to existing nuclear power plants.
• This figure was calculated in recognition of the current situation in which new construction of nuclear power plants is not possible.
• Adopt a nuclear fuel cycle policy that will admit of both fuel recycling and direct disposal of spent fuel without reprocessing.
• Using nuclear power in combination with renewable energy and fossil fuels will facilitate measures that can deal flexibly with various changes in external conditions such as the domestic energy situation, the international global environmental situation, and technological changes and innovations.

The 20-25% Scenario

• Maintain nuclear power generation at a fixed level while gradually reducing the nuclear dependence ratio to 20-25% by 2030.
• New construction or renovation of nuclear power plants will be necessary.
• Adopt a nuclear fuel cycle policy that will admit of both fuel recycling and direct disposal of spent fuel without reprocessing.
• CO2 emission reductions from a reduced dependence on fossil fuels can be achieved more economically.
• The firm faith of Japan's citizens in nuclear power and in nuclear power administration will be a necessary prerequisite.

Questions

1. Which option do you think Japan should adopt for its energy policy for 2030?
   (Multiple Choice Options - Zero Scenario, 15% Scenario, 20-25% Scenario, Other, Don't Know)
2. Please explain in your own words the reason/s for your answer to Question 1.
3. Please let us know in your own words what you think about the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and about Japan's energy policy in general.

NOTE: We hope to analyze the opinions we receive and submit a briefing statement to the Japanese government. If you agree, we would like to be able to cite your opinion, with or without your name. If you do not agree, please let us know.

- Survey questions input form
https://www.tfaforms.com/251924