Noda to emphasize continuing need for nuclear plants in Japan at U.N.

TOKYO, Sept. 19 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is set to emphasize the continuing need for nuclear power plants in Japan and will pledge to ensure the highest level of operational safety during an upcoming U.N. conference, according to a draft of his speech obtained by Kyodo News on Sunday.
Noda will adopt a different position to that of his predecessor Naoto Kan, who sought to reduce the country's reliance on nuclear power in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
According to the draft, Noda will tell a session of the U.N. high-level meeting on nuclear safety and security on Thursday that his government will ''raise the safety of nuclear plants to the highest level.''
Noda will also say, ''There will be a continuing necessity to secure nuclear energy that is safe and more reliable,'' while promising a thorough investigation into what caused the world's worst nuclear accident in 25 years and to fully disclose information.
''There is a consensus among the international community that enhancing safety measures related to nuclear energy should take priority,'' Noda is expected to say.
The premier will also stress his resolve to enhance measures aimed at protecting nuclear plants and materials to underscore Japan's intention to work with the United States on the issue at the United Nations.
U.S. President Barack Obama had urged Japan to make efforts to ensure nuclear safety in a letter to Kan.
Noda will also say that Japan will work on developing and promoting renewable energy as well as decontaminating areas affected by the Fukushima nuclear crisis triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
On overall energy policy, Noda will pledge to speed up work on mapping out concrete measures, including target ratios for various renewable energy sources, saying, ''We will release a best energy mix shortly.''

2011-09-19 21:21:04