Japan nuclear technology facing extinction

There is an interesting article today about the state of Japan's nuclear technology, which has been greatly affected by the 2011 nuclear crisis in Fukushima. For the past 8 years no domestic construction of nuclear plants has taken place and "Japanese reactor manufacturers and suppliers of key components are now facing the possible loss of their technological viability" the report in the Nikkei Asian Review says.

This also comes amid the doubts voiced by reactor manufacturer Toshiba Corp. that it can stay afloat following the huge losses announced by its nuclear subsidiary in the US, which filed for bankruptcy last month.

The Nikkei report makes no reference to overseas exports by domestic makers, which have also taken a huge hit. Late last year Vietnam stated it was close to cancelling a multi-million dollar nuclear plant project set to be built by Japanese makers.

​However, Hitachi  last week made an application for a site license to build and operate nuclear plants in the UK, but will be joining companies from other countries, including Korea and China, who the Guardian says "are queuing up to back projects" in the UK's burgeoning nuclear industry.