Japan Press Weekly

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2022 October 5 - 11 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Koike to PM Kishida: Shift away from promoting nuclear energy and enemy-strike capability

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on October 7 at the House of Councilors plenary session used his interpellation time to urge Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to stop sticking to the promotion of nuclear power generation and moving forward with Japan’s huge military buildup, including its possession of an enemy-strike (counterforce) capability.

Koike noted that PM Kishida in his policy speech expressed his intent to accelerate the development and construction of a next-generation reactor, in addition to the reactivation of more than ten off-line reactors.

Koike pointed out, “A full recovery from the Fukushima nuclear accident has yet to be achieved. Latent risks associated with the operation of nuclear power plants in Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, are immeasurable. On top of this, a safe way to dispose of used nuclear fuel has yet to be found.” He demanded the cancellation of the policy of promoting nuclear power generation.

Furthermore, Koike said that given that a next-generation reactor will not be operational until the mid-2030s, Kishida’s plan is useless as a measure to resolve the current power shortage issue and tackle the climate crisis.

In response, PM Kishida indicated his intent to push forward with the use of nuclear power by stating, “I’ll instruct experts to speed up their discussions and reach conclusions by the end of the year regarding the expansion of nuclear reactor’s operation period, the full utilization of the existing reactors, and the development and construction of a next-generation reactor.”

Regarding Japan’s possession of an enemy-attack capability, Koike pointed out that the Defense Ministry’s budget request for fiscal 2023 includes items related to the strengthening of Japan’s stand-off defense capability which allows Japan’s possession of an enemy-strike capability. He went on to point out, “It is reported that the government began discussions on the possession of more than 1,000 long-range cruise missiles, a key component of a stand-off capability. Is this true?” Kishida refused to respond.

Koike said, “Japan’s possession of the capability to attack enemy bases will increase tensions in East Asia and bring the danger of war to the region,” urging Kishida to abandon his ambition to procure an enemy-strike capability and implement a huge military buildup. In reply, Kishida only said, “I’ll enhance Japan’s defense capabilities without excluding any options.”

Along with the topics of nuclear power generation and Japan’s possession of a counterforce capability, Koike grilled Kishida about issues related to former Prime Minister Abe’s “state funeral” and the murky ties between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Moonies. He proposed measures to help people survive the rising cost of living which include a proposal to implement wage hikes. He also demanded that a provision in the Maternal Health Act which requires a woman wishing to get an abortion to obtain her spouse’s consent be abolished.