Implementing nuclear energy policy in Japan: top-down and bottom-up perspectives

Abstract

Although crucial to Japan, nuclear power has been confronted with increasing siting obstacles. This paper analyses Japan's nuclear policy from the perspective of implementation analysis. It suggests that implementation processes in Japan can and do get delayed more often than many would like to acknowledge because of a reliance on indirect policy instruments by the central government for facilitating bargaining between implementing organizations and target groups. The paper concludes that a site auctioning approach which stresses greater regional input into decisionmaking may assist in the management of siting difficulties. -Author