Japan Lacks the Expertise For Renewed Nuclear Power After Fukushima

Japan's decision to reignite its nuclear power industry is facing serious setbacks: 11 years of prohibition has led to a shortage of engineers, a lack of students training to fill vacant positions and a dearth of domestic nuclear manufacturing capability. The Register reports: The Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association claims the number of "skilled engineers responsible for manufacturing nuclear equipment" has declined by 45 percent since the government banned nuclear power projects and shut existing reactors in response to the Fukushima meltdown in 2011. In addition, the JEMA said there are 14 percent fewer students in nuclear engineering programs at Japan's universities and graduate schools, the Financial Times reports. [...] Japanese officials previously planned to phase out nuclear power entirely by 2030, but now hopes nearly a quarter of the country's power will come from nuclear sources by the end of the 2020s. According to NPR, that goal might be out of reach because it would require construction of an additional 17 reactors by 2030 -- a tough goal under the best of circumstances. Japan's reversal of the nuclear power ban didn't do anything to address supply shortages, NPR said. Add manpower shortages to that equation, and Japan's nuclear ambitions seem increasingly out of reach.

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