81 Alternative Proteins
Sustainable foods that can be substituted as protein sources for meat and others are referred to as ‘alternative protein,’ among which plant-based food and insect-based food are notable. Such food production companies as NH Foods are making efforts to commercialize plant-based alternative meat and develop other alternative proteins including cultured meat. Finally, in July 2023, in America, the sales of cultured meat using animal cells started.
The growing use of alternative proteins is driven by environmental and food security concerns. As global population growth increases meat demand, supply-side challenges have emerged. Water scarcity has strained agricultural resources, including shortages of irrigation water and livestock feed. Cattle burps have also become an environmental concern, as they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, alternative proteins are increasingly adopted by vegetarians and vegans, who avoid meat, eggs, and dairy.
In 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommended insect-based foods as a highly efficient protein source to address food insecurity. In Japan, cricket-based products have already entered the market. Insects such as cicadas, ants, bees, and diving beetles are also being used as ingredients in various food products.
82 The Restart of Nuclear Power Plants
After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake caused the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the government introduced stricter regulations. It revised nuclear power laws, limiting plant operations to 40 years in principle, with a possible extension to 60 years. Furthermore, it adopted a policy prohibiting the construction of new nuclear plants or the replacement of existing ones.
The March 2022 Fukushima Offshore Earthquake disrupted operations at multiple thermal power plants. Later that June, a severe heatwave pushed Tokyo Electric Power Company’s grid to its limits, causing electricity shortages. To prevent similar strain during peak winter demand, the government approved the restart of nuclear reactors that had passed updated safety checks.
Currently, about 90 percent of the fossil fuels used in Japan’s thermal power plants are imported. This reliance exposes Japan to risks such as supply disruptions due to unexpected geopolitical events and price surges caused by exchange rate fluctuations. Additionally, the government is promoting the restart of nuclear power plants as part of its decarbonization policy, since they emit almost no carbon dioxide.
To restart a nuclear power plant, electric power companies must comply with newly established safety standards. In July 2024, the Nuclear Regulation Authority denied the restart application for Japan Atomic Power Company’s Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 – marking the first rejection under these regulations. Despite the government’s policy shift to extend nuclear plant operations, the restart process has been progressing slowly.
83 The Release of Treated Water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Sea
Following the government’s decision on the release of treated water stored in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in August 2023, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. began releasing it into the ocean. The containment vessels still hold nuclear fuel debris that melted down from the reactor cores of Units 1 to 3 due to the tsunami caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. To cool the debris, the plant generates an average of 100 tons of radioactively contaminated water daily. The contaminated water is treated through a process that removes cesium and strontium using special devices and decontaminates 62 types of radioactive materials (except tritium) via the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS).
When releasing the treated water, it is diluted 100-fold with seawater. The government asserts that the release of the diluted water will not significantly impact the environment or human health. It has issued a report stating that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reviewed the water and confirmed its compliance with international safety standards.
The amount of treated water stored in over 1,000 tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has nearly reached capacity. With no alternative options available, the plant must release the water to proceed with reactor decommissioning. China strongly opposed the release and, in August 2023, imposed a complete ban on imports of Japanese seafood.
84 University Entrance Examination Reform
The new Common Test for University Admissions replaced the National Center Test in January 2021. This reform shifted the focus from the previously criticized knowledge-based approach to assessing critical thinking, judgment, and expression skills. While private English proficiency tests and essay questions – initially proposed as key components of the new system – were ultimately excluded from the national exam, some universities use them in their individual admission processes.
To foster students’ applied skills and creativity during this period of rapid social transformation influenced by globalization and technological innovation, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has been promoting reforms to strengthen collaboration between high schools and universities. These reforms aim to effectively cultivate and assess the ‘Three Academic Competencies’: (1) Knowledge & Skills, (2) Critical Thinking, Judgment & Expression, and (3) Proactive Collaboration in Learning – developing self-directed, team-oriented attitudes.
To align with the implementation of the new National Curriculum Standards for students entering high school in 2022, the Common Test subjects will be reorganized starting in FY2025. This update will include the addition of ‘Information Technology’ as a new subject, maintaining the framework of 7 major subjects with 21 course options. For students who studied under the previous curriculum standards, transitional measures will be implemented, including the provision of special examination questions tailored to their preparation background.
【大学入試改革の主な内容】
- センター試験から大学入学共通テスト（共通テスト）への変更
- 入試名称の変更（AO入試→総合型選抜、推薦入試→学校推薦型選抜、一般入試→一般選抜）
- 試験内容やスケジュールの見直し
- 総合型選抜と学校推薦型選抜で小論文や口頭試問、教科・科目のテストなどによる学力測定の導入
- 共通テストの教科「情報」の追加、地理歴史・公民や数学などの科目の再編
- 国語と数学で記述式問題の導入
85 Paris Olympics, Paralympics
The Paris Olympics, hosting for the third time with a 100-year interval since the last, is notable for utilizing existing tourist attractions.
207 countries and regions participate in the Olympics, and athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus are allowed to take part as individual neutral athletes due to the invasion of Ukraine. The IOC Refugee Olympic Team consists of members who have been forced to leave their own countries due to conflicts and persecution. One of them, Cindy Ngamba from Cameroon, won the bronze medal in the women’s 75 kg boxing event.
Japan sent a delegation of 409 athletes, its largest ever for an overseas sporting event. On Day 1, Natsumi Tsunoda won the gold medal in the women’s 48 kg judo, and afterward, Japan achieved outstanding results, securing a total of 45 medals—a record for the country in overseas competitions. Notably, the fencing team won five medals, including two golds. Additionally, the wrestling team delivered an exceptional performance, earning 11 medals, with gold medals won on six consecutive days.
Japan sent a delegation of 175 athletes to the Paralympics, winning 14 gold, 10 silver, and 17 bronze medals—totaling 41 medals. This surpassed their gold medal count from the Tokyo Paralympics, where they won 13.
86 Hot Topics on Sports and Cultures
In the movie industry, Godzilla Minus One, directed by Takashi Yamazaki, won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The TV series Shōgun, produced by Hiroyuki Sanada, stole the spotlight at the Emmy Awards. In the music world, YOASOBI was invited to world-famous music festivals as well as the Japan-US summit meeting.
Shohei Ohtani, a Major League Baseball player, has been hitting well even after signing with a new team. Gōta Ōda, a wheelchair tennis player, is aiming to win the US tournament in 2025.
【アスリート】
- 大谷翔平（MLB・大リーグ）
- 久保建英（海外サッカー）
- 三笘薫（海外サッカー）
- 阿部一二三（柔道）
- 八村塁（バスケットボール＜日本代表＞）
- 北口榛花（陸上競技）
- 早田ひな（バドミントン）
【映画監督】伊藤詩織（映画監督。
【指揮者】小澤征爾（指揮者。
【俳優】真田広之（俳優。
87 Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
The World Expo 2025 will be held on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka, from April 13 to October 13, 2025. With the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” it will showcase exhibits featuring cutting-edge technologies aimed at solving global challenges. Additionally, a virtual exhibition will be held online. However, the event faces several challenges, including soaring construction costs due to rising material and labor prices. Notably, several pavilions have withdrawn from participation, primarily due to delays in planning.
88 Rare Metals around Minami-Tori Island
Manganese nodules, deep-sea mineral resources, were discovered within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surrounding Minami-Tori Island, the nation’s easternmost territory. These nodules contain high concentrations of rare metals, including those essential for lithium-ion battery production. Notably, their cobalt deposits are estimated to equal Japan’s total domestic consumption for approximately 75 years. A pilot project to retrieve these nodules to the surface is scheduled for 2025, marking a significant step toward potential future commercialization.
89. Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization, and Storage
To reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) and CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) technologies are being developed worldwide. CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial plants and other sources, then compressing and storing them underground. The Japanese government, aiming for commercialization by 2030, is collaborating with private companies to conduct verification experiments at facilities in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. These experiments aim to gather data on underground and oceanic impacts, as well as risks during earthquakes and other emergencies. CCUS expands on this concept by utilizing captured carbon dioxide to produce fuels and various chemical products.
