日媒：日本筹建福岛事故后首座核电站，民意分歧

Core Insights - Kansai Electric Power Company is initiating geological surveys at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant to construct Japan's first new reactor since the Fukushima disaster in 2011, driven by the increasing electricity demand from data centers and semiconductor factories due to the rise of artificial intelligence [1][3] - The electricity demand for data centers and semiconductor factories in Japan is projected to increase from 3.6 billion kWh in FY2025 to 51.4 billion kWh in FY2034, highlighting the need for stable and clean energy sources [3] - The Japanese government has revised its stance on nuclear energy in its 2040 energy plan, aiming for 20% of electricity supply to come from nuclear power, reducing fossil fuel reliance from nearly 70% in 2023 to 30%-40% [4] Industry Developments - The restart of nuclear power plants has been a contentious issue in Japan since the Fukushima incident, with public opinion divided on the future role of nuclear energy [4][5] - The government is focusing on maximizing the use of renewable and nuclear energy to meet future energy demands, with plans for next-generation reactors to be built on the sites of decommissioned plants [4] - Concerns over energy self-sufficiency have been heightened by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of nuclear energy alongside food security for resource-scarce Japan [5]