Japan Press Weekly

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2011 June 15 - 21 [ENVIRONMENT]

METI chief: we will continue depending on nuclear power

“We will put all our efforts into gaining local understanding and cooperation to restart suspended nuclear power plants,” stated Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Kaieda Ban’ri on June 7.

His statement came to light in the recorded minutes of the 9th Council on the Realization of the New Growth Strategy meeting.

A growing number of people have voiced their fears about the dangers of nuclear power generation since the outbreak of the nuclear accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi plant, and public opinion has forced a temporary suspension of operations at the Hamaoka plant as it is located in the focal region of an inevitable Tokai earthquake.

The minister at the same meeting also stated, “Electricity generated by nuclear power, fossil fuels, and renewable energy sources will be supplied in the mid-and long-term forecast,” expressing his intention to continue the nation’s energy policy dependence on nuclear power generation.

Kaieda presented at the meeting data showing that suspension of nuclear power stations will increase fuel costs by more than 300 million yen a year. He also mentioned business concerns, saying, “Corporations will move abroad if not provided energy in quantity and good quality at a lower cost (in reference to the steel industry)” and “Higher electricity rate will definitely drive major corporations out of Japan (in reference to the textile industry).” Citing a possible “restraint in domestic investment and overseas transfer of production,” the data he presented provoked a sense of crisis with the assumption that the “hollowing out of industry is imminent.”

Facing a backlash from the “community of interest” that benefits from nuclear power promotion, the ministry seems to be declaring its intention to continue its nuclear dependence while disregarding public safety concerns.