CIAO DATE: 02/2009
January 2008
Japan Institute of International Affairs
Nuclear energy has two facets. When it is used for peaceful purposes such as power generation, medical services, agriculture and industry, it can make a contribution to the betterment of the quality of life. However, it also could be used for military or criminal purposes. Thus, there are both great opportunities and great risks. Nuclear energy can ease energy security competition. As economies grow, energy demands also increase. For example, in Asia where there are rising energy- consuming countries such as China and India, it is predicted that meeting the demand for energy will become a serious challenge not only to each country but to the region as a whole. In other regions such as Africa and Middle East, plans and express of interest in nuclear energy has been increasing. The expectation that nuclear energy will fill the gap between energy demand and supply has become very high.
Resource link: Atoms for the Sustainable Future: Recommendations on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century [PDF] - 66K