Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2011 April 13 - 19 TOP3 [NUCLEAR CRISIS]

I will still promote N-power generation: fiscal policy minister

Yosano Kaoru, State Minister in charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy, at a post-cabinet meeting press conference on April 15 expressed his intention to continue promoting nuclear power generation, irrespective of the danger of nuclear accidents.

Asked about the fact that the severity of the Fukushima nuclear crisis was elevated to Level Seven, Yosano said, “I still believe that nuclear power generation is important for electricity supply. The promotion of nuclear energy was not a mistake in any way.”

Asked by reporters if he is willing to apologize for having promoted nuclear power generation when he was a minister of the former International Trade and Industry at the time of the Liberal Democratic Party government, he forcefully answered, “No!”

Yosano, having worked for five years at the Japan Atomic Power Co. after graduating from university, said that the Fukushima plant “was constructed with the best available technology, the best knowledge, the best engineers, and the highest safety considerations.” He went on to say, “I am sure that it was the best possible nuclear facility at that time.”