Japan's PM calls for cut in nuclear power
Source: Agencies |
July 30, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPAN'S Prime Minister Naoto Kan yesterday called for a long-term effort to scale back the nation's reliance on nuclear power over the next four decades and make more use of solar energy and other renewable power sources.
Responding to concerns raised by Japan's March 11 tsunami, Kan called for investment in renewables, a re-examination of the national policy promoting the private development of nuclear power and a reworking of the control that regional power companies have over their markets.
His broad-brush announcement calls for a "planned and gradual" reduction of nuclear dependence by 2050 and is an attempt to unify the government's stance on nuclear policy.
"We aim for a society that does not depend on nuclear power," Kan said. "It is very important for us to have a meaningful debate on this issue."
Kan has already said he intends to step down as soon as the country's recovery is on track, and his government is deeply divided over what approach it should take toward nuclear power.
Earlier this month, he said he would like to see his country phase out nuclear power completely in light of the crisis at the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. But he was opposed in that stance by members of his own Cabinet and labeled irresponsible by the opposition.
He later claimed his remarks reflected only his "personal opinion."
The plan announced yesterday has the basic support of his Cabinet.
Japan has long pursued an aggressive nuclear power policy. Before the disaster it relied on this for about a third of its electricity and was aiming to increase that share to about a half by 2030.
Amid a public outcry over nuclear safety, Kan has led a rethinking of that policy.
Responding to concerns raised by Japan's March 11 tsunami, Kan called for investment in renewables, a re-examination of the national policy promoting the private development of nuclear power and a reworking of the control that regional power companies have over their markets.
His broad-brush announcement calls for a "planned and gradual" reduction of nuclear dependence by 2050 and is an attempt to unify the government's stance on nuclear policy.
"We aim for a society that does not depend on nuclear power," Kan said. "It is very important for us to have a meaningful debate on this issue."
Kan has already said he intends to step down as soon as the country's recovery is on track, and his government is deeply divided over what approach it should take toward nuclear power.
Earlier this month, he said he would like to see his country phase out nuclear power completely in light of the crisis at the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. But he was opposed in that stance by members of his own Cabinet and labeled irresponsible by the opposition.
He later claimed his remarks reflected only his "personal opinion."
The plan announced yesterday has the basic support of his Cabinet.
Japan has long pursued an aggressive nuclear power policy. Before the disaster it relied on this for about a third of its electricity and was aiming to increase that share to about a half by 2030.
Amid a public outcry over nuclear safety, Kan has led a rethinking of that policy.
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