Japan Press Weekly

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2010 March 17 - 23 [ENVIRONMENT]

Shift from nuclear energy to natural energy: Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on March 21 during his stumping tour in Fukui Prefecture called on the government to shift its energy policy from depending on nuclear power generation to promoting natural sources of energy.

Focusing on nuclear power generation as a low-carbon energy source, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is planning to build 14 additional nuclear power plants by 2030 and to raise the operating rates of N-plants by 30 percent from the present 60 percent.

However, Shii stated that taking into account that Japan is prone to earthquakes, it is extremely dangerous to increase both the number and the operating rates of the nuclear power plants.

The government is also planning to resume the operation of the fast breeder reactor "Monju" and pushing ahead with the plutonium-thermal project using MOX fuel at 16-18 nuclear power plants by FY 2015. At some plants, the project is already underway.

Shii pointed out that European countries have suspended the development of fast breeder reactors because it is technically difficult and too risky, and demanded that Japan also withdraw from this dangerous project.

He further stated that Japan should take more effective measures, including the conclusion of carbon reduction agreements with corporations, to tackle global warming.

Shii again emphasized the need to stop depending on nuclear power generation and to expand the use of natural sources of energy.
- Akahata, March 22, 2010