日本是一個缺乏天然資源的國家，尤其缺乏維持基礎設施和促進經濟活動所需的石化燃料能源。因此日本在二次大戰之後，每年主要能源來源八成以上幾乎都仰賴進口。日本政府和擁護核能發電者宣稱核能發電有穩定供應、成本低廉和發電過程不排放CO2的種種好處，因此極力發展核電以求能源自給自足，而成為擁有10處核能發電廠區和54組核能反應爐的核電大國。然而2011年3月11日的東日本大地震重創福島核能發電廠，導致史上第二次的七級核能事故，使政府和擁核人士聲稱之核能發電種種好處被反核人士所質疑。擁護核電派認為核電是體現能源政策三目標之安定性、經濟性和環保性的「三位一體」；反、廢核電派則否定之。本文由國家安全理論分析日本對核電的正反辯論，認為對現下的日本政府而言，不「廢核電」是考量電力供應後的務實選擇，但政府也不能低估，甚至忽視日本民眾反核的聲音和力量。唯有發展出更安全的核電科技、處理和防護技術，或再生能源科技具有經濟效益，才能脫出擁核和反核的困境。

Japan is a country lacking indigenous natural resources, especially fossil fuels resources that are needed in the maintenance of infrastructure and rising economic activities. Japan therefore imported over 80% of its primary energy every year since WWII. The government and proponents of nuclear power claimed the advantages of nuclear power included stable power supplies, lower power cost, and no CO2 produced in power generation, As such, Japan sought energy autarky by developing nuclear power enthusiastically and became a country with 10 nuclear power plants with 54 nuclear reactors. However, the eastern Japan earthquake damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant in March 11 2011, which resulted in the second level 7 accident of the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale in history. The proponents of anti-nuclear power camps challenged the claimed benefits of nuclear power by government and nuclear power adherents. Based on the theory of national security, this article analyses the debates between pro-nuclear power and anti-nuclear power: while the former claims nuclear power is a ”holy trinity” of energy security, economic efficiency and environment protection, the latter treats nuclear power as a ”unholy trinity.” No Ausstieg (nuclear power phrasing out) may be pragmatic for Japan government in case of electricity supply now, however, the government should not underestimate and overlook the voice and power of anti-nuclear power camp. The only way to get rid of the dilemma between the two camps is developing safer nuclear power technologies, management skills and protection from radiation, or the technological breakthrough making renewable energy costeffective.