Comparative analysis of decision making regarding nuclear policy after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: Case study in Germany and Japan

We undertake a comparative analysis of the decision-making steps involved in the nuclear policies in Germany and Japan after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in 2011. We consider five factors to understand these vastly different decisions on nuclear policy. We found that the accident occurred during an election period in Germany, resulting in changes in the stances of the ruling party, whereas the political stability of the ruling party was not highly challenged in Japan. Economic and technical factors indicate that the cost of generating electricity as renewable energy in Germany has been reduced enough to replace nuclear energy. An interconnected grid, as a geopolitical factor, helps to import electricity into Germany, the net electricity exporter, in case of a shortage. Given that the economic, technical, and geopolitical factors do not apply to Japan, Japan should restart its nuclear power plants, unless the political stability of the ruling party is jeopardized by the public through the electoral system. From the comparison, we derive general lessons: (1) a social factor affects the political factor when it jeopardizes the ruling party; (2) mature renewable technologies with economic competitiveness in a country can replace nuclear power; (3) the geopolitical situation may affect the nuclear policy, but not as a critical factor.

Automated summary

The decision-making processes of nuclear policies in Germany and Japan after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in 2011 differed substantially due to various factors such as political stability, economic and technical considerations, and geopolitical factors. While Germany was able to transition to renewable energy sources due to reduced costs and an interconnected grid for electricity import, Japan may need to restart its nuclear power plants unless political stability is compromised by public sentiment. Lessons derived from this comparison suggest that social factors can influence political decisions, mature renewable technologies can replace nuclear power, and geopolitical situations may impact nuclear policy but are not critical factors.