Japan’s New Economy Minister Seeks to Maximize Nuclear Restarts

Japan’s new economy minister said the country will need to maximize the use of existing nuclear power plants as artificial intelligence and data centers are expected to boost electricity demand.

It’s “natural” for Japan to pursue both atomic and renewable energy in order to meet the growing needs without increasing carbon emissions, said Yoji Muto, who was appointed to the role on Tuesday. The new administration will eye restarting as many reactors as possible so long as they are safe, he said Wednesday.

Yoji Muto on Oct. 1.

Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Muto’s comments point to a continuation of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s work that ...