As of April 9, there was only one nuclear reactor in operation in Japan. The last one will be shut down for a checkup on May 5. As summer is coming in three months, the Japanese government seems to be adamant about restarting two of the halted nuclear reactors in the Kansai region, which is KEPCO territory and includes Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.

The problem is that it is really difficult see what is going on and how the decision about the nuclear policy is being worked out there. Unlike the previous administration, the current administration is determined to restart some of the halted nuclear plants. It is easy to blame Japan for restarting them after such a big accident. But Japan does not seem to have any other choice, unlike the US. The US has several options for energy. In the worst case, it can suspend its policy of protecting the environment and drill for oil and coal. Natural gas is plentiful and priced very low compared with the world market. For example, natural gas costs more than four times as much in Japan as in the US.

Japan imports virtually all of its energy. Japan decided to adopt nuclear power because it:

1. Is relatively cost-effective compared with other fuels.

2. Has no GHG emissions.

So it is understandable that Japan would restart some of the halted reactors to get ready for summer, especially in KEPCO territory, which has depended on nuclear energy to meet 44% of its total power demand. However, the process and transparency of how the restart is planned and carried out are awfully flawed. Most Japanese people are very skeptical about government announcements after having watched how the nuclear disaster was handled. Most people believe that the government withholds much information about the disaster and its aftermath. Many people are afraid and worried about nuclear reactors. The government does not seem to be able to wipe out their mistrust and suspicions. On top of that, it does not seem to have a clear plan or the will to carry out an energy policy.

Bypassing the regaining of trust and not showing the safety of the nuclear reactors makes it appear that the government plans to restart the plants without providing adequate safety measures and processes. Some time ago, a stress test was a condition for restarting the reactors, but it was not really described to the public. The first phase of the test was a computer simulation, and the second phase was to prepare for all possible problems. Then a few days ago 13 interim safety measures for reactors were announced and, thus, the conditions for restarting them. On April 9, the government issued three major conditions for the restart:

• Mechanisms to guarantee power supply in case all the internal and external domestic imported power is lost.

• Readiness for earthquakes and tsunamis.

• Several safety measures, including satisfying the stress test.

The conditions keep changing and are very confusing.

In addition, some key members of the cabinet seem to have some reservations about restarting the reactors, even if these conditions are met. Also, the central government cannot move quickly because local governments and people are concerned about restarting the reactors without clear evidence of their safety. The way things are going, Japan will suffer from another power crunch this summer.

The best thing the government can do is to release all the information, including power needs and availability of other power sources, and convince people about what needs to be done. It may take longer, but in the long run it is the only way. If the central government forces a restart without any good evidence of the reactors’ safety, the backlash could be enormous.