In the wake of the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan shut down all of its nuclear power stations. Fifteen years on, the country is reconsidering that decision as the rise of AI has created massive demand for cheap low-carbon power. For a country with a traumatic history with nuclear, that is a difficult and delicate decision
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00:00 Introduction: Japan’s pivot back to nuclear
01:13 Leo Lewis revisits Fukushima Daiichi
02:09 The impact of Fukushima on Japan
03:35 The impact of Fukushima on Japan’s energy policy
04:25 Turning nuclear reactors back on
05:45 Japan’s traumatic relationship with nuclear
06:41 Inside Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, the world’s largest nuclear power plant
07:58 Kashiwazaki’s mayor supports a limited reopening
08:55 Opposition to reopening Kashiwazaki-Kariwa
09:36 Tepco’s finances and political backing
10:14 AI, data centres and the rising cost of electricity in Japan
11:26 Leo Lewis revisits Tagajo, a city destroyed by the tsunami
12:30 Hawaiians spa resort
13:59 Keys of Change and the Fukushima youth sinfonietta
15:21 Nuclear power and geopolitics
16:25 Anti nuclear campaigners on why nuclear is always a bad idea
16:59 New nuclear technologies
18:02 Is geothermal power a viable alternative?
20:02 Conclusion
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