Ukraine war puts Japan’s clean energy transition at risk

Until one of the biggest earthquakes on record triggered a tsunami that destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, just over 11 years ago, Japan’s energy supply rarely made front-page news.The resource-poor country had 54 nuclear reactors providing about a third of its energy needs. And the nuclear power industry pumped enough money into the political system to ensure its place in the energy mix of the world’s third-largest economy was not questioned. It also provided a useful repository of cushy jobs for retired officials.As a result, there was little demand for lawyers to support creative policymaking or become involved in innovative deals bringing sustainable energy to Japan.The goal is for renewables to cover up to 38 per cent of Japan’s electricity generated by 2030 © Buddhika Weerasinghe/BloombergBut, as concerns mounted over other nuclear power plants

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