In a 2016 interview with the Nikkei, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol outlined four expectations for Japan’s energy policy. He emphasized that nuclear power is indispensable to the energy mix and requires safe operation and a solid regulatory framework.

2016-09-15
The following is a continuation of the previous section.
This is an article in which the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, responded to an interview by the Nikkei newspaper.
Emphasis within the text is mine.
“Expectations for Japan’s Promotion of Energy Conservation” Investment in Renewable Energy to Continue Increasing
[Preface omitted]
The United States and China have ratified the Paris Agreement, a framework for global warming countermeasures after 2020.
“What surprised me was that global investment in energy efficiency increased by 6 percent year on year in 2015. Despite sluggish energy prices and low oil and gas prices, government policies in each country are leading this. Of course, further promotion is necessary to achieve the goals of climate change countermeasures, but China is a good example. It is strongly promoting solar power, wind power, and nuclear energy.”
—What do you expect from Japan.
“There are four points. First, Japan is still a global leader in energy efficiency, but I would like it to promote this even further. The second point is nuclear power, which is extremely important to the energy mix. Safe operation of nuclear power plants and a regulatory framework are indispensable. Third, renewable energy will be promoted as costs decline. The fourth point is liquefied natural gas (LNG), whose trading volume will increase over the next four to five years due to factors such as the start of exports from the United States. As a major importing country, Japan should take advantage of opportunities such as reviewing existing contracts.”