Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Projects Record $2.54 Billion Nuclear Sales as Japan Accelerates Reactor Restarts

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries forecasts record nuclear sales of 400 billion yen as Japan restarts reactors to combat energy supply issues from the Middle East.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 6:04 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

Accelerated Nuclear Resurgence Defies Earlier Forecasts

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is witnessing an unprecedented boom in its nuclear energy division, with sales projected to reach a record 400 billion yen ($2.54 billion) in the upcoming fiscal year. In an interview with Reuters, MHI Chief Financial Officer Hiroshi Nishio revealed that the company has reached its long-term financial milestones significantly ahead of schedule, having originally anticipated these figures would not be achievable until approximately 2030. To meet this surging demand, MHI plans to increase its reactor-making division headcount by 10% next year. This rapid growth marks a definitive turning point for the Japanese industrial giant, which maintained its nuclear capabilities through a decade of domestic stagnation following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Geopolitical Pressures Drive Japan’s Energy Pivot

The primary catalyst for this nuclear acceleration is Japan's urgent need to reduce its dependence on imported oil and gas, which currently account for nearly two-thirds of the nation's power generation. According to government reports, energy security has become a top priority following recent U.S. and Israeli air strikes in Iran, which have severely disrupted fossil fuel supply chains from the Middle East. By restarting idle nuclear plants, Japan aims to stabilize its energy grid and lower utility costs. Currently, 15 of the country's 33 operable reactors have been brought back online, representing a major milestone in the nation's post-Fukushima energy policy.

The Milestone Restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa

A significant victory for the industry occurred last month when Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) successfully switched on the first of seven idle reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant. As the world’s largest nuclear power station, located 220 km northwest of Tokyo, its return to service is viewed as a critical step in Japan's transition back to a nuclear-heavy energy mix. MHI has played a central role in supporting these restarts, providing the technical expertise and infrastructure necessary to meet stringent new safety standards. According to Nishio, the company's conviction that nuclear power was "inevitable" allowed them to preserve essential technology and personnel during the industry's leanest years.