The Economy, Trade and Industry ministry in Japan is setting a target of 20 percent to 22 percent of the country's electricity generation to come from nuclear power plants by 2030, a draft of the government proposal says, according to media reports.
The target is a significant decline from the 28.6 percent in 2010, before the Great East Japan Earthquake that jolted the industry worldwide by triggering a tsunami event that crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, about 180 miles north of Tokyo.
Japan, in response, shuttered all 48 of its nuclear power plants and revamped safety standards, especially those related to potential damage from earthquakes or tidal waves.
The plan calling for the resurrection of most of the country's nuclear power capacity was presented to the cabinet on Thursday by Yoichi Miyazawa, the head of the ministry's division for power, the Japan Times reported.
Miyazawa proposed Japan's energy mix include about 22 to 24 percent electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power.
The timing of the proposal is key, as Japan is preparing its presentation to the Group of Seven nations, which meets in June. The uptick in nuclear power, from an earlier target of around 20 percent, is reportedly to allow the country to demonstrate a stronger commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Since the country closed its nuclear power plants, Japan has increased its dependence on coal, which now makes up 30.3 percent of its electricity generation. The plan calls for future use of coal to account for 26 percent of its electricity generation. Natural gas, which now accounts for 43.2 percent of Japan's electricity generation, would see its position lowered to 27 percent. Crude and fuel oil generation would be expected to drop from 14.9 percent to 3 percent, according to the government's plan.