Tokyo, Japan – In the midst of growing global instability and increased pressure for decarbonization, the International nuclear workers’ union network (INWUN) held its global meeting in Tokyo, Japan on March 25th, 2025. Coordinated by IndustriALL Global Union, the meeting aimed to assess the current state of the nuclear sector internationally and reinforce the role of trade unions in shaping a just and secure energy transition.
During the opening remarks, IndustriALL’s energy director Diana Junquera Curiel provided an overview of the global energy landscape, highlighting the dominance of fossil fuels in energy production despite the growth of renewable sources. She also noted the renewed interest in nuclear energy in several countries due to its potential to deliver low-emission and reliable energy, while also acknowledging the significant labor and social challenges associated with it.
One of the key developments in the nuclear industry that was highlighted during the meeting was the mid-March pledge by a cross-industry group to support a tripling of global nuclear capacity by 2050. This group, which includes major companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta, as well as financial institutions and 31 countries, aims to meet the increasing demand for electricity, particularly from energy-intensive data centers.
Kazuo Kawano of Japanese union DENRYOKU SOREN presented Japan’s approach to restarting reactors under stricter safety standards and rebuilding public confidence following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Japan is also investing in next-generation nuclear technologies and restoring its nuclear supply chain.
DENRYOKU SOREN president Moriya Mibu welcomed the international participation and emphasized the importance of maintaining international union dialogue. “Nuclear power is a technology that should be handled by democratic and human rights-oriented people,” he said.
The Ukrainian delegation also shared their experience of the brutal impact of war on the nuclear industry. This includes occupied facilities, kidnapped workers, drone attacks, and continuous violations of international standards. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian unions continue to operate and represent workers.
Valery Matov, co-chair of IndustriALL’s nuclear sector, expressed the importance of enhancing the exchange of information between unions in the current global situation. He also called for a renewed focus on developing the uranium sector. Matov thanked IndustriALL and their Japanese colleagues for organizing this high-level meeting.
Delegates from various countries also gave presentations on the state of the nuclear industry in their respective regions. Argentina reported concerns over privatisation threats and halted strategic projects, while France highlighted its nuclear revival and upcoming projects. Mongolia discussed their efforts to leverage their uranium reserves to attract international investment, and South Africa addressed the challenges of replacing coal with cleaner and more reliable energy sources like small modular reactors (SMRs). The United Kingdom reported a critical shortage of skilled labor and funding gaps in decommissioning efforts, while Spain reaffirmed its plan to close all nuclear reactors between 2027 and 2035.
As part of the meeting, delegates also visited the Great East Japan earthquake and nuclear disaster memorial museum in Fukushima and stayed at J-Village, a sports complex that was repurposed as a nuclear response base following the 2011 disaster. The site has since been restored and symbolizes regional recovery.
The following day, delegates visited the Fukushima Daiichi plant and were briefed on ongoing decommissioning efforts. Experts discussed the challenges of waste management, contaminated water treatment, and removing melted nuclear fuel, which is estimated to take 30 to 40 years. Approximately 880 tonnes of melted fuel remain inside reactors 1, 2, and 3.
The meeting concluded with a call to expand the INWUN network, include uranium mining unions, and strengthen collaboration between meetings. Health and safety, youth training, and support for workers affected by plant closures were identified as urgent priorities.
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