Cyclife Japan: Contributing to the Safe and Sustainable Nuclear Lifecycle in Japan

Positioned in one of the world’s most strategic nuclear markets, Cyclife Japan builds on activities initiated in Japan since 2020 by the Department of Decommissioning and Waste Management Projects (DP2D) of Groupe EDF, and brings out Cyclife's proven expertise in dismantling, waste management, and digital solutions to support Japan’s energy transition and future nuclear lifecycle.

Japan is set to become one of the world's largest and most strategic decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) markets in the coming decades.

Of the approximately 60 reactors, 14 have restarted while 27 are officially under decommissioning, including all Fukushima Daiichi units and a mix of PWR, BWR, graphite, HWR and FBR designs. 

Leveraging the capabilities of Cyclife's facilities in France, Sweden, and the UK, Cyclife Japan aims to deliver practical solutions,  such as the export of large components for treatment in Europe, as well as the preparation for future domestic facilities through technology sharing partnerships.

Cyclife Japan is committed to supporting Japan's nuclear lifecycle and energy transition, while promoting circular economy principles. To this end, the company combines global expertise with local collaboration.

Patrick Dupeyrat, Managing Director of Cyclife Japan, comments:

"In these first two years , we have dedicated ourselves to forging closer ties with our partners and providing them with the necessary support. Our long-term ambition is clear: to establish partnerships where Cyclife's expertise adds value - while continuing to explore the numerous opportunities that lie ahead."

Japan is a leading economy and a major player in the field of civil nuclear energy. As the global energy crisis intensifies, the need to decarbonise and secure electricity production in the country is stronger than ever. 

This strategy is based on three pillars, which are explained in the 7th Strategic Energy Plan (approved in 2025), with a target to achieve the following electricity mix by 2040:

• Renewable energy between 40% and 50%,
• Thermal energy between 30% and 40%,
• Nuclear energy around 20%

EDF Group has long supported this approach through its representative office and several subsidiaries in Japan, including EDF Trading, EDF Power Solutions and Framatome, alongside Cyclife Japan, created to address dismantling and waste management challenges. 

The Group remains firmly committed to the partnership, supported by the renewed momentum in Franco-Japanese cooperation on civil nuclear energy, which was reaffirmed during President Macron's visit in early April 2026.