Japan needs to import some 80 percent of its energy requirements.

The country's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in mid-1966.

Japan's 54 reactors provide some 30 percent of the country's electricity today, and this is expected to increase to at least 40 percent by 2017, and 50 percent by 2030. The existing 54 reactors have a total of 46,102 MWe (net) on line, with two (2,756 MWe) under construction and 12 (16,532 MWe) planned.