Japan: Ocean Release for Fukushima Water
A panel of experts advising Japan's government on a disposal method for radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant on Friday recommended releasing it into the ocean, a move likely to alarm neighboring countries.The panel under the industry ministry came to the conclusion after narrowing the choice to either releasing the contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean or letting it evaporate - and opted for the former. Based on past practice it is likely the government will accept the recommendation.The build-up of contaminated water at Fukushima has been a sticking point in the clean-up…
Saudis to Consider Tokyo Listing of Aramco
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked Saudi Arabia's King Salman to support the listing of Saudi state oil giant Aramco shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, a Japanese senior government official said on Monday. King Salman said that the kingdom would look into the request because he wants Japanese investors to buy Aramco shares, the official said after the two leaders met. Bourses in Asia and elsewhere are vying to win the $100 billion listing. Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka
Japan to Supply India with Nuclear Power Equipment, Technology
Japan and India signed a civilian nuclear accord on Friday, opening the door for Tokyo to supply New Delhi with fuel, equipment and technology for nuclear power production, as India looks to atomic energy to sustain its rapid economic growth. It was the first time Japan, the only country to have suffered a nuclear attack, had concluded such a pact with a country that is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). "Today's signing ... marks a historic step in our engagement to build a clean energy partnership," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a joint news conference with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
Japan Protests over Signs of Renewed Chinese Gas Exploration
Japan has protested to China over signs it is pressing ahead with maritime gas exploration in the East China Sea despite Tokyo's repeated requests to stop, Japan's top government spokesman said on Wednesday. The exploration platforms are on the Chinese side of the median line between the two countries, but Japan accuses China of ignoring a 2008 agreement to maintain cooperation on resources development in an area where no official border has been drawn. China said in July it had every right to drill in the East China Sea close to waters disputed with Japan…
Magnitude 6 Quake Hits South Japan, Nuclear Power Plants Safe
An earthquake of magnitude 6 hit southern Japan on Thursday, bringing down some buildings, a government spokesman said, but there were no immediate reports of injuries and the nuclear regulator reported no problems at power plants. The quake struck 11 km (7 miles) east of the city of Kumamoto, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. It initially said the magnitude was 6.2 but revised it down. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the quake registered 6.4. There was no tsunami warning, but Japan's chief government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, said several buildings had collapsed. He gave no more details.
G7 Foreign Ministers discuss Nuclear, Maritime Issues
In a city obliterated by a U.S. atom bomb more than 70 years ago, Japan kicked off a gathering of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies with a call to end nuclear weapons. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, who presides over the two-day annual meeting this year, said on Sunday that ministers will also discuss anti-terrorism steps, maritime security and issues related to North Korea, Ukraine and the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is set to join his counterparts from Britain…
France Asks for Japan's Participation in Nuclear Sector Reshuffle
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Monday he proposed to his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe that the Japanese nuclear industry participate in the reorganisation of the French nuclear sector. Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd said in September it was in talks with French nuclear giant Areva and state-controlled utility EDF on possibly taking a stake in Areva's reactor-making subsidiary Areva NP. EDF agreed in July to buy between 51 and 75 percent of Areva NP and said it would look for partners to take a minority stake. Mitsubishi Heavy and Areva are working together on a nuclear plant in Turkey.
Japan Military Wants China "Crisis Management" Pact
Japan's highest-ranking military officer on Friday urged an early start to a "crisis management" mechanism with China amid conflicting claims to a group of tiny East China Sea islands. Relations between China and Japan, the world's second- and third-largest economies, have also been strained by the legacy of Japan's wartime occupation of its larger Asian neighbour. Patrol ships and fighter jets from both countries have shadowed each other regularly near the uninhabited islands, prompting fears an accidental collision or other incident could escalate into a larger conflict.
Japan to Restart Nuclear Plants Deemed Safe
Japan's newly appointed trade minister Yuko Obuchi on Wednesday reiterated the government's policy that it will proceed with restarting nuclear power plants that clear the nation's new safety standards. "When it comes to nuclear power plants, we should put safety before everything else. If they are deemed to have met the new standards, we will respect that decision and proceed with restarts," Obuchi told her inaugural news conference. "There are still voices of opposition and worry. No nuclear reactors are currently operating in Japan, which suffered a tsunami-triggered nuclear disaster in March 2011.
Narendra Modi Eyes Breakthrough Nuclear Pact with Japan
India is hoping to win Japanese backing for a nuclear energy pact during a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and lure investment into its $85 billion market while addressing Japan's concern about doing business with a nuclear-armed country. India has been pushing for an agreement with Japan on the lines of a 2008 deal with the United States under which India was allowed to import U.S. nuclear fuel and technology without giving up its military nuclear programme. But Japan wants explicit Indian guarantees not…
