First Commercial Reactor Dismantling Begins at Hamaoka

SHIZUOKA, Mar 19 (News On Japan) - Chubu Electric Power has begun dismantling the reactor at Unit 2 of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Monday. This marks the first time a commercial nuclear reactor is being dismantled in Japan.

The company started decommissioning work on Unit 2 in 2009 and, in December 2024, received approval from the Nuclear Regulation Authority to proceed to the third phase of the dismantling process.

Reactor dismantling is considered the most critical phase of decommissioning. On March 17th, workers used a crane to lift and remove the upper lid of the reactor pressure vessel, which had housed nuclear fuel during operation.

Chubu Electric aims to complete the decommissioning of both Unit 1 and Unit 2 at Hamaoka by fiscal year 2042.

Source: SBSnews6

Trump Doubles Tariffs While Calling Nippon Steel’s $14 Billion US Deal Historic

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 30th that his administration plans to double the current tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent. Speaking at a plant owned by major American steelmaker U.S. Steel, Trump declared that the existing 25 percent tariff on steel imports would be raised to 50 percent starting June 4th. The same rate will also apply to aluminum products, with the measure expected to affect exporters globally.

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

World’s Largest Butterfly Fossil Discovered in Japan

A butterfly fossil discovered 37 years ago in Shinonsen, Hyogo Prefecture, and kept in a local museum has been identified as a new species and the largest butterfly fossil ever found globally.

Nissan Unveils Latest e-POWER Hybrid

Nissan has unveiled the latest model of its proprietary hybrid system, e-POWER, by showcasing the updated Qashqai equipped with the technology. The company says it has significantly improved fuel efficiency during high-speed driving—an area that had previously been seen as a challenge.

How Japanese iPhone Users Are Optimizing Their Devices in 2025

In Japan, iPhones make up over 60% of the market share. The pretty design and the reliability have been ͏incorporated into the market because Japanese people consider it a daily need due to apps and features.

Dwarf Planet or Asteroid? The Two Sides of a Nearby but Distant Star

A small celestial body made headlines earlier this year when it was briefly thought to pose a threat to Earth. But the true stars of this story are not those 60-meter objects zipping past our planet, but two massive asteroids—Ceres and Vesta—each hundreds of kilometers wide and orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.

Japan to Launch New Strategy for Setting International Standards in Next-Gen Solar Cells and Hydrogen

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has drafted a new strategy aimed at giving Japan an advantage in shaping international standards for emerging technologies such as next-generation solar cells.

Panasonic Unveils Research Facility Focused on Stimulating the Five Senses

Panasonic Holdings has unveiled for the first time its research facility at its Kadoma, Osaka headquarters, where it is developing technologies that stimulate the five senses—sound, lighting, and scent—to enhance comfort, particularly in sleep environments, with applications aimed at improving daily life.

Used Tempura Oil Fuels Vehicles at Fukuoka Airport

Fukuoka Airport has became the first in Japan to introduce biofuel-powered ground vehicles, as Japan Airlines began fueling some of its service vehicles with plant-based biofuel refined from used cooking oil.

How to Identify Opium-Producing Wild Poppies

With its vivid petals and delicate appearance, the poppy of Troy (papaver setigerum) may seem like a beautiful addition to the landscape—but beneath its beauty lies a serious danger. Known for its exceptionally strong reproductive capabilities, this wild poppy species is now being discovered in various parts of Japan during its blooming season.

< 2 3 4 5 >