ID :
176249
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 17:31
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https://oananews.org//node/176249
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Kan touches on need to freeze plans to build nuclear facilities
TOKYO, April 18 Kyodo -Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Monday touched on the need to freeze Japan's plans to build new nuclear facilities in the wake of the world's worst nuclear accident in a quarter century at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
''We will not proceed with the plans that have been put forward up to now'' before the government completes a full examination of the accident and makes sure nuclear plants in the country are safe, Kan said in a parliament session.
Before the crisis at the plant, triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the government had set a target of adding 14 or more nuclear power stations by 2030 as part of its efforts to fight global warming.
Kan said the government is fully committed to containing the crisis at the plant by working closely with Tokyo Electric Power Co.
''In order to realize it as early as possible, the government will make all-out efforts to cooperate'' with the plant operator, Kan told the House of Councillors Budget Committee, referring to the release Sunday of the utility's road map for bringing the crisis under control within six to nine months.
He said the government will strive to create an environment in which as many residents as possible evacuated from areas around the plant will be able to return home after nine months.
Kan also fended off mounting pressure to quit as prime minister from opposition lawmakers, saying he has no plans to ''escape from the responsibility of what must be done.''
''I may be wishing for a lot. But I would be satisfied as a politician if I could pave the way for restoration, reconstruction and fiscal consolidation,'' the premier said, adding he has not given up his intention of increasing the number of Cabinet members to beef up government efforts to cope with the emergency situation.
Masataka Shimizu, president of the utility known as TEPCO, also took part in the session of the budget committee for his first appearance in the Diet since the disaster struck the region.
''I again deeply apologize for causing so much trouble for residents around the power plant, people in Fukushima Prefecture and the public,'' Shimizu said.
Shimizu admitted TEPCO's preparedness for emergencies was too optimistic. ''We could not predict that a tsunami 14 to 15 meters high would come,'' he said.
Asked about TEPCO's future nuclear business, he said it would be ''difficult'' to go on with its plan to build two more reactors at the radiation-leaking plant.
But Shimizu said the company cannot say at this point if it will stop building any new nuclear facility in the future.
Shimizu, however, said TEPCO cannot avoid reviewing its overseas business strategy in the wake of the world's most serious nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe.
The company will ''direct its management resources to domestic (affairs),'' he said.
''We will not proceed with the plans that have been put forward up to now'' before the government completes a full examination of the accident and makes sure nuclear plants in the country are safe, Kan said in a parliament session.
Before the crisis at the plant, triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the government had set a target of adding 14 or more nuclear power stations by 2030 as part of its efforts to fight global warming.
Kan said the government is fully committed to containing the crisis at the plant by working closely with Tokyo Electric Power Co.
''In order to realize it as early as possible, the government will make all-out efforts to cooperate'' with the plant operator, Kan told the House of Councillors Budget Committee, referring to the release Sunday of the utility's road map for bringing the crisis under control within six to nine months.
He said the government will strive to create an environment in which as many residents as possible evacuated from areas around the plant will be able to return home after nine months.
Kan also fended off mounting pressure to quit as prime minister from opposition lawmakers, saying he has no plans to ''escape from the responsibility of what must be done.''
''I may be wishing for a lot. But I would be satisfied as a politician if I could pave the way for restoration, reconstruction and fiscal consolidation,'' the premier said, adding he has not given up his intention of increasing the number of Cabinet members to beef up government efforts to cope with the emergency situation.
Masataka Shimizu, president of the utility known as TEPCO, also took part in the session of the budget committee for his first appearance in the Diet since the disaster struck the region.
''I again deeply apologize for causing so much trouble for residents around the power plant, people in Fukushima Prefecture and the public,'' Shimizu said.
Shimizu admitted TEPCO's preparedness for emergencies was too optimistic. ''We could not predict that a tsunami 14 to 15 meters high would come,'' he said.
Asked about TEPCO's future nuclear business, he said it would be ''difficult'' to go on with its plan to build two more reactors at the radiation-leaking plant.
But Shimizu said the company cannot say at this point if it will stop building any new nuclear facility in the future.
Shimizu, however, said TEPCO cannot avoid reviewing its overseas business strategy in the wake of the world's most serious nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe.
The company will ''direct its management resources to domestic (affairs),'' he said.
