The Ukraine war has shown the fragility of Japan’s energy supplies. But the decision to restart plants after the Fukushima disaster is fraught with emotions and political calculation.
The Sendai High Court said the state and the plant’s operator must pay $9.5 million to survivors of the 2011 nuclear accident. They have until mid-October to appeal to the country’s Supreme Court.
As many as 22 new coal plants - one of the dirtiest power sources - will arise at 17 sites across Japan, just as the world must slash emissions to fight warming.
The water from the Fukushima disaster is more radioactive than the authorities have previously publicized, raising doubts about government assurances that it will be made safe.
The verdict makes it likely that no one will be held criminally responsible for the 2011 meltdown in Japan, which caused damage that could linger for generations.
