Study: Nearly one-third of localities call for end to nuclear power
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201401190021
Study: Nearly one-third of localities call for end to nuclear power
January 19, 2014
By TORU NAKAGAWA/ Staff Writer
Nearly one-third of the nations local assemblies, including those at the prefectural level, have submitted statements calling for the abolition of nuclear power plants to the Diet since the Fukushima crisis in 2011, according to a study by The Asahi Shimbun.
Most of such statements by 455 assemblies were adopted in prefectures that share borders with prefectures hosting nuclear power plants. The declarations called for a sweeping change in the nations energy policy, and a large number also advocate a significant increase in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
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The results of the study showed that nuclear power generation could emerge as a central issue in local elections like the Feb. 9 Tokyo gubernatorial race, campaigning for which kicks off Jan. 23. Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, serves Tokyo and neighboring prefectures in the Kanto region.
According to the local autonomy law, a local assembly can adopt a statement representing an opinion on issues to get it reflected in national policy.
Such a statement is submitted to the government or the Diet, although it is not legally binding.
According to the secretariat at the Upper House, the Diet has received 1,475 statements on the energy issue since the accident occurred at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in March 2011.
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Via
http://nuclear-news.net/2014/01/20/455-local-assemblies-in-japan-calls-for-an-end-to-nuclear-power/