ID :
188585
Tue, 06/14/2011 - 19:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/188585
The shortlink copeid
Japan to keep nuclear power despite Italian referendum result
TOKYO (Kyodo) - Some Cabinet members indicated Tuesday that Japan should continue with nuclear power generation, after Italians overwhelmingly rejected their government's proposal to resume nuclear power plants in a referendum.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda told a press conference that nuclear power will no doubt remain as one of the country's key energy sources.
''It is important now to balance moves toward denuclearization and current power shortages,'' he said, suggesting nuclear power is necessary for some time to respond to power shortages.
State minister for economic and fiscal policy Kaoru Yosano told a separate news conference that Japan would not necessarily follow moves overseas, noting the key role of electric power in Japan's economy.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, meanwhile, told reporters the Japanese government is not in a position to comment on the Italian referendum, which followed the outbreak of the nuclear crisis in Japan at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
Meanwhile, residents of Fukushima Prefecture, home of the troubled nuclear plant, showed mixed reactions to the results of Italy's referendum.
Seiichi Nakate, 50, who heads a local civic group to support children, said he is glad to see the Italian move. ''I hope there will be discussions also in Japan to shift from nuclear power to natural energy.''
Bumpei Kanouya, 51, who has evacuated from Fukushima to Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, said it would be desirable to determine national policy through a referendum, as in Italy.
''I expect the Japanese government to present future prospects as soon as possible if it is impossible for us to live near the nuclear power plant anymore,'' he added.
But a 50-year-old man who had worked at the Fukushima plant before the crisis was skeptical about the Italians' decision. He said Italy may return to nuclear power if alternative energy sources cannot be secured.
A 64-year-old man from Iitate noted that while Italians may be opposed to nuclear power, their country imports electricity from other countries.
''The shutdown of all reactors will severely affect Japanese industries,'' he said. ''Denuclearization should be discussed while making efforts to secure alternative energy sources.''
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda told a press conference that nuclear power will no doubt remain as one of the country's key energy sources.
''It is important now to balance moves toward denuclearization and current power shortages,'' he said, suggesting nuclear power is necessary for some time to respond to power shortages.
State minister for economic and fiscal policy Kaoru Yosano told a separate news conference that Japan would not necessarily follow moves overseas, noting the key role of electric power in Japan's economy.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, meanwhile, told reporters the Japanese government is not in a position to comment on the Italian referendum, which followed the outbreak of the nuclear crisis in Japan at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
Meanwhile, residents of Fukushima Prefecture, home of the troubled nuclear plant, showed mixed reactions to the results of Italy's referendum.
Seiichi Nakate, 50, who heads a local civic group to support children, said he is glad to see the Italian move. ''I hope there will be discussions also in Japan to shift from nuclear power to natural energy.''
Bumpei Kanouya, 51, who has evacuated from Fukushima to Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, said it would be desirable to determine national policy through a referendum, as in Italy.
''I expect the Japanese government to present future prospects as soon as possible if it is impossible for us to live near the nuclear power plant anymore,'' he added.
But a 50-year-old man who had worked at the Fukushima plant before the crisis was skeptical about the Italians' decision. He said Italy may return to nuclear power if alternative energy sources cannot be secured.
A 64-year-old man from Iitate noted that while Italians may be opposed to nuclear power, their country imports electricity from other countries.
''The shutdown of all reactors will severely affect Japanese industries,'' he said. ''Denuclearization should be discussed while making efforts to secure alternative energy sources.''
