As AI drives a global surge in electricity demand, a top U.S. nuclear official urges Japan to restart reactor construction and lead with innovation and transparency.
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| U.S. expert John Kotek highlights Japan’s nuclear potential and urges new reactor builds to meet AI-driven energy demand through innovation and engagement. Image: CH |
Tokyo, Japan — May 14, 2025:
As the rise of generative artificial intelligence drives unprecedented global electricity consumption, a senior U.S. nuclear energy leader has urged Japan to resume building nuclear reactors to meet growing energy demands and lead in clean, stable power innovation.
John Kotek, Senior Vice President of the U.S.-based Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), called the construction of new nuclear reactors “imperative” in an interview conducted in Tokyo in April during his visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc.
“AI technologies are transforming industries, and they require vast, constant power. Nuclear energy is uniquely positioned to deliver that reliably and cleanly,” Kotek said. “Japan, with its advanced engineering and safety culture, can be a global leader again if it re-engages with new builds.”
While the United States operates 94 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 97 gigawatts—the largest in the world—Japan has only 14 reactors in operation. Progress on new construction has stalled since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Kotek emphasized that restoring and expanding nuclear power in Japan hinges not just on engineering, but on public trust. “Surveys show support for nuclear power is around 20% higher in U.S. communities that host reactors,” he noted, crediting this to transparent communication, plant tours for schools and residents, and educational outreach by utility companies.
He praised Japan’s nuclear industry for its innovative capabilities, citing the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture as a global benchmark. The reactor—built and operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO)—was the world’s first advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR), completed in just three years from foundation to fuel loading.
Kotek also mentioned the planned restart of the No. 1 reactor at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station in the U.S., expected as early as 2028. The reactor sits adjacent to the site of the 1979 partial meltdown, one of the most serious accidents in U.S. nuclear history.
Addressing Fukushima’s legacy, Kotek expressed optimism that public trust in nuclear energy can be restored. “It requires consistency, community engagement, and a commitment to doing the work right—every day,” he said. “Japan can—and should—lead the way again.”