Japan Press Weekly

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2023 June 28 - July 4 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Civic group: Utilities and gov't using power shortage as excuse to promote nuclear and coal power generation

An environmental civic group in Kanagawa Prefecture staged a protest rally on July 1 against the operation of a coal-fired thermal power plant operated by JERA Co., Inc., which was fired up on the previous day, in Yokosuka City.

Japanese Communist Party Yokosuka City Assemblyperson Omura Yoko, taking part in the rally, said, "Coal-fired thermal generation runs against the current push for clean, renewable energy."

Rally participants pointed out, "The number of climate refugees in the world is dramatically increasing. The world needs climate justice now." In front of the plant, they shouted in unison, "No more coal!"

Suzuki Rikuro, a cohead of the Yokosuka citizens' environmental organization, said, "The central government and power companies are threatening the public with 'a shortage of power' in order to promote nuclear and coal-fired thermal power generation."

Suzuki also said, "The government is asking the general public to make a 'modest energy-saving effort', never asking large energy-consuming businesses for energy-saving cooperation, which means that there is no shortage of power." He added, "The full-scale promotion of renewables will not only ensure sufficient power in Japan but also create jobs."

Past related article:
> Yokosuka citizens launch signature drive calling for planned operation of coal-fired thermal power plant to be cancelled [November 7, 2022]