Japan should accelerate its efforts to restart some of the country’s nuclear power plants to meet growing demand for electricity, according to the head of the International Energy Agency.

“The restart of nuclear power plants is critical,” Fatih Birol, executive director of the Paris-based intergovernmental organisation, said at an event in Tokyo.

He said on social media: “Safely restarting the plant could help improve Japan’s energy security and affordability while reducing emissions – as well as reinforcing its industrial competitiveness.”