ID :
11967
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 10:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/11967
The shortlink copeid
Japan eyes building nuclear reactors in S. Africa to reduce emissions
TOKYO, July 10 Kyodo - Japan is considering building 12 nuclear reactors in South Africa to cover the power shortage there and in surrounding countries and to curb greenhouse gas emissions, government sources said Wednesday.
The plan is aimed at demonstrating Japanese leadership in fighting global warming and assisting development in Africa, which was among the key agenda items at the three-day Group of Eight summit held through Wednesday inHokkaido, the sources said.
In helping to resolve the power shortage in the area, Japan is also hoping to catch up with China in its diplomatic presence in Africa by improving business infrastructures for the possible joint development of rare metals involvingJapanese companies, they said.
Due partly to budgetary restraints Japan lags behind China in so-called naturalresources diplomacy in Africa.
Developed counties as well as emerging countries are turning their attention to securing rare metals as they are essential for the production of automobilesand cellphones.
The combined investment for the envisioned reactor project, including the portion of Japan's yen loans to South Africa, is expected to be worth 3 trillion to 5 trillion yen, given that the construction cost of each nuclear reactor is believed to be around 300 billion to 400 billion yen, the sourcessaid.
If the reactor construction scheme is realized, it will likely become one ofthe key projects for the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
In Toyako, Hokkaido, visiting South African Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said nuclear power plants are instrumental incurbing global warming.
Asked whether South Africa will accept the Japanese project, he only said it isa matter to be decided at a Cabinet meeting.
South Africa was invited to outreach sessions of the G-8 summit, along withseveral other countries.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government is also planning to launch a project to train local engineers in South Africa for operation and management of thereactors to prevent accidents, the sources said.
The G-8 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and theUnited States.
==Kyodo
The plan is aimed at demonstrating Japanese leadership in fighting global warming and assisting development in Africa, which was among the key agenda items at the three-day Group of Eight summit held through Wednesday inHokkaido, the sources said.
In helping to resolve the power shortage in the area, Japan is also hoping to catch up with China in its diplomatic presence in Africa by improving business infrastructures for the possible joint development of rare metals involvingJapanese companies, they said.
Due partly to budgetary restraints Japan lags behind China in so-called naturalresources diplomacy in Africa.
Developed counties as well as emerging countries are turning their attention to securing rare metals as they are essential for the production of automobilesand cellphones.
The combined investment for the envisioned reactor project, including the portion of Japan's yen loans to South Africa, is expected to be worth 3 trillion to 5 trillion yen, given that the construction cost of each nuclear reactor is believed to be around 300 billion to 400 billion yen, the sourcessaid.
If the reactor construction scheme is realized, it will likely become one ofthe key projects for the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
In Toyako, Hokkaido, visiting South African Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said nuclear power plants are instrumental incurbing global warming.
Asked whether South Africa will accept the Japanese project, he only said it isa matter to be decided at a Cabinet meeting.
South Africa was invited to outreach sessions of the G-8 summit, along withseveral other countries.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government is also planning to launch a project to train local engineers in South Africa for operation and management of thereactors to prevent accidents, the sources said.
The G-8 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and theUnited States.
==Kyodo
