Japan pledges less reliance on nuclear energy as Nagasaki marks anniversary of A-bomb attack

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/japan-pledges-less-reliance-to-nuke-energy-as-nagasaki-marks-anniversary-of-a-bomb-attack/2012/08/09/bd511868-e1dd-11e1-89f7-76e23a982d06_story.html

Japan pledges less reliance on nuclear energy as Nagasaki marks anniversary of A-bomb attack

By Associated Press,

TOKYO — Japanese officials pledged to seek a society less reliant on nuclear energy as the country marked the 67th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on Thursday.

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Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue said the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, which was crippled by a tsunami last March, has exposed the risk of nuclear technology.

Taue urged Japan to make concrete plans to achieve a nuclear-free society and called for renewed commitment to a global ban on nuclear weapons.

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Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda renewed his promise to seek a society less reliant to nuclear power in a mid- to long-term policy platform due out within weeks.

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1. Nagasaki calls for worldwide nuclear abolition treaty

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120810a2.html

Friday, Aug. 10, 2012

Nagasaki calls for worldwide nuclear abolition treaty
Kyodo

NAGASAKI — Nagasaki urged world leaders Thursday to conclude a treaty banning nuclear weapons at a ceremony marking the 67th anniversary of its atomic bombing.

"The international community must act now by taking the first concrete steps toward concluding the Nuclear Weapons Convention," Mayor Tomihisa Taue said during the city's annual peace ceremony at Nagasaki Peace Park.

Taue also called on the central government to address the "serious challenge" presented by North Korea's nuclear arms threat, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda declared in a speech that Japan has a "responsibility" to encourage countries to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.

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"We call on the government to set new energy policy goals to build a society free from the fear of radioactivity," Taue said in reference to the nuclear crisis.

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