# Hitachi Eyes Small Nuclear Reactors in Japan

> Hitachi plans small nuclear reactors to cut Japan's energy costs amid rising prices.
- Title: Hitachi Eyes Small Nuclear Reactors in Japan · The Japan Times
- Summary: Hitachi plans small nuclear reactors to cut Japan's energy costs amid rising prices. Hitachi Energy aims to develop small modular reactors in Japan to…
- Keywords: hitachi, nuclear energy, small modular reactors, japan, energy costs, fukushima disaster, news, politics, world, Eyes, Small, Nuclear
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/10/14/hitachi-small-nuclear-reactors
- Author: Yusuke Maekawa
- Published: 2026-10-14T12:05:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hitachi, nuclear energy, small modular reactors, japan, energy costs, fukushima disaster, news, politics, world
## Hitachi explores small nuclear reactors
Hitachi Energy is developing small modular reactors in Japan as high energy costs shift public opinion toward nuclear power.

> Hitachi is exploring developing small modular reactors in Japan as high energy costs have started shifting public opinion toward nuclear power
## Reactor construction timeline
Building a new reactor from scratch could take five to 10 years, according to Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas Schierenbeck.

> Building a new reactor from scratch could take five to 10 years
## Public opinion shift
Schierenbeck said high energy prices are changing public opinion slightly toward nuclear power.

> The public opinion is changing slightly
## Japan's energy challenges
Japan relies heavily on imported natural gas and coal for electricity and faces elevated fuel costs from disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

> Japan relies heavily on imported natural gas and coal for electricity and has faced elevated fuel costs from disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
## Nuclear power benefits
Nuclear power is among Japan's lowest-cost electricity sources when operating, helping reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

> Nuclear power, when operating, is among the country’s lowest-cost sources of electricity
## Global small reactor status
Only three small modular reactors operate worldwide, with about 70 projects at different stages of progress, according to the World Nuclear Association.

> Only three such reactors are currently operating across the world, in the U.S., China and Russia, and about 70 projects are at different stages of progress
## Key takeaway

Hitachi Energy aims to develop small modular reactors in Japan to address high energy costs and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.