Browsing by Author "Tanabu, Asami"

This master’s thesis analyses Japanese nuclear power discourses as necessitation by uncovering the strategies and arguments surrounding the nuclear power expansion debate in 2004-2006. The study on Japanese case is contrasted with Finland as a representing case of European perspective of nuclear power in revival period from early to mid- 2000s. Based on previous research the concept of necessitation is defined as 'reluctant acceptance' of nuclear power. People unwillingly accept nuclear power as for the greater challenges such as climate change and energy security. In addition, necessitation is a forceful strategy of argumentation promoting nuclear power as an energy source without alternatives. Regarding necessitation, this research addresses following themes: discourses and representations surrounding nuclear power in Japan 2004-2006, argumentation strategies to necessitate nuclear power, and major similarities and differences of nuclear power discourses between Japan and Finland. Qualitative content analysis is applied to the minutes of the meetings produced by responsible institutions in Japan. Following datasets are selected for the analysis: 1) the sectorial meetings for long-term nuclear energy policy under Japan Atomic Energy Commission in 2004-2005 and 2) the minutes documented in Nuclear Subcommittee under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2005-2006. In order to gain deeper understanding of the arguments, discourse analysis is also conducted upon the material. The research first discloses seven Japanese nuclear power discourses based on the arguments - nuclear power for: energy security, stable supply, cost-efficiency, environmental compatibility, nuclear power as a means of international contribution, new economic growth, and guaranteed nuclear safety. Representations of nuclear power are analysed within each discourse. The analysis also reveals the employed argumentation strategies to oblige nuclear power use and prioritised discourses. A comparison between Japanese and Finnish nuclear power discussions shows significant common discourses in energy security, stable supply, affordable electricity, and climate change mitigation. This comparison also shows distinctive Japanese discourses in international collaboration and national economic prosperity. Moreover, Japanese arguments over environmental and economic benefit of nuclear power are by far more elaborate. The research reveals a wide range of social issues concerning the necessity of nuclear power in Japan, whereas Europe concentrates on limited social issues of nuclear power. A detail picture of Japanese nuclear power shows extensive expectation of nuclear power which are embedded in the society. This indicates that more convincing persuasion for nuclear power expansion is required in Japan. In both domestic and international level, Japan still has to dispel the suspicion of military use of nuclear power and diminish the concerns about nuclear safety. Moreover, Japan is in need of establishing additional social benefit of nuclear power for the acceptance of more economically, environmentally and technologically challenging nuclear fuel cycle.