TOKYO, Nov 11 (Reuters) – Japan’s industry ministry is seeking changes to the law so that public money can be used for investment in the nuclear power sector and in electricity grids, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday.
New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said reviving nuclear power is key to Japan’s energy security and the industry wants greater support for new reactor building, particularly as the boom in artificial intelligence and data centres spurs demand for more electricity.
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The ministry aims to present a proposal to a working group with the hope that a bill to amend the law will be passed in parliament next year.
In July, Kansai Electric Power (9503.T), Japan’s top nuclear power operator, announced it was conducting initial studies to build a new reactor in western Japan – the first concrete step towards building a reactor since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant meltdowns in 2011.
Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Edwina Gibbs
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