Japan's Prime Minister Kan holds press conference to call for a phase out of nuclear power

[kristopher]

Kan seeks shift from nuclear power

Prime Minister Naoto Kan says Japan should gradually decrease its dependency on nuclear energy, and aim toward creating a society that can get along without it.

Kan announced the shift in the country's energy policy at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Kan said the Fukushima nuclear plant crisis that followed the March 11th disaster made him realize that nuclear technology could become uncontrollable.

He added that until the accident, he had backed the use of nuclear energy as long as it was safe.

Referring to restarting idled reactors...

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/13_37.html


BTW, Kan's major at university was physics.

[bananas]

1. k&r nt

[kristopher]

3. Governors in 35 of 47 prefectures (states) have formed a coalition to promote renewables

Softbank, governors to promote renewable energy

Japanese telecom group Softbank has set up a joint committee with 35 of Japan's 47 prefectures to promote electric power generation using renewable energy.

Softbank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son and the governors of the 35 prefectures met in Akita City, northern Japan, on Wednesday.

The governors had just ended a 2-day meeting in the city to discuss ways to rebuild the country after the March 11th disaster.

At Wednesday's meeting, Son and the governors agreed to make concerted efforts to generate and use solar, wind and other renewable energy locally...

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/13_34.html

[ladjf]

2. Great move! nt

[kristopher]

4. I thought so also.

They had a conference of Governors (mentioned above) and there seems to be a lot of unity among them supporting the position Kan is taking. I'm reasonably confident it was their expressions of a desire to leave nuclear behind that prompted Kan to openly state his position today.

[ladjf]

6. Personal comment to Kristopher: You are one of the most

constructive and consistent poster on DU, particularly in the alternate energy areas.

[kristopher]

12. Thank you.

Demo, hazukashii...

[just55650]

9. +1

[kristopher]

5. Asahi Shimbun coverage

Kan comes out for a society with no nuclear power plants

2011/07/14


Prime Minister Naoto Kan on July 13 laid out his vision to build a society without nuclear power plants by gradually moving away from reliance on this energy source.

"I came to believe we should aim for a society that does not depend on nuclear power," Kan said in a televised news conference from his official residence. "We can phase out the dependence on nuclear power plants and achieve a society that can work without nuclear power plants."

But Kan did not spell out any specifics for his vision, such as a timetable and how many nuclear power plants should be decommissioned by when.

Referring to the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, the prime minister said, "When I think of the enormous risks of a nuclear accident, I am convinced that (nuclear power) is the technology that cannot be controlled by the conventional idea to ensure safety alone."...

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107130622.html

[kristopher]

7. Mainichi Shimbun coverage

PM's pursuit of nuclear power-free society should be commended, but details lacking

Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced at a news conference on July 13 that Japan will gradually decrease its reliance on nuclear power, with the ultimate goal of achieving a nuclear power plant-free society. This represents a fundamental rethink of Japan's basic energy policy -- a change we essentially support and appreciate, as we have repeatedly asserted that Japan has no choice but to rely less on nuclear power.

What the prime minister said at the news conference, however, lacked specifics and raised numerous questions. Kan said the government will aim to achieve a society without nuclear plants in the future, but when does "in the future" refer to? How will the government promote the development and introduction of substitute energy sources? At the outset of the news conference, Kan said he would clarify his own ideas on the issue, but is it just his personal view or a policy adopted by the Cabinet or the entire Kan administration and ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) legislators?

As Kan is supposed to step down in the not too distant future, the Cabinet and the ruling coalition should quickly work out basic policy principles on his initiative.

Differences have recently surfaced between Kan and Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda over whether to resume operations at two reactors at the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture, which have been suspended for regular inspections. The prime minister apologized at the news conference, saying that a delay in issuing his instructions on the matter caused confusion.

Critics have...

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/perspectives/news/20110714p2a00m0na001000c.html

[BeFree]

8. Eh?

This is what amazes me about DU. We were a couple of years ahead of this guy; the PM of a major nation. Really, the only hope I have left is that DUer type people take over the world, like yesterday, already.

It is waiting for us. Can we do it? Can we get it done? I sure hope so.

Peace. But only after enough agitation?

[kristopher]

10. He is catching on fast, then...

He made clear today that he doesn't think they need to restart the plants that are currently closed.

That is his opinion, not a command of any sort since it is a decision that must be made collectively.

[kristopher]

11. Mainichi: Kan under fire from Cabinet for advocating nuclear-free society

Kan under fire from Cabinet for advocating nuclear-free society

Prime Minister Naoto Kan drew fire from members of his Cabinet on July 15 for advocating a society free of nuclear power in the aftermath of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant.

Kansei Nakano, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, led the charge, telling an informal meeting of Cabinet ministers, "We ministers never heard about this before. We want the prime minister to explain his real intentions and the content of his remarks."

Kan has defended his comments, saying, "I thought it was time to convey my own resolve" to achieve a society that does not depend on nuclear energy.

...Goshi Hosono, minister in charge of nuclear accidents, said, "It will be very difficult now to build new nuclear power plants. Reducing Japan's dependence on nuclear power plants is not policy debate but reality."

Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, ...

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110715p2a00m0na010000c.html