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2012 October 3 - 9 [NUCLEAR CRISIS]

JCP calls on J-POWER to stop building Oma nuclear plant

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Kami Tomoko on October 5 made representation to Electric Power Development Co. (J-POWER), calling for a halt to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Oma Town (Aomori Pref.).

Kami was accompanied by representatives of the JCP Hokkaido Prefectural Committee and district committee of Hokkaido’s Hakodate City, which is located about 20 km from the construction site.

Hatayama Kazuya, vice chair of the prefectural committee, said, “The safety has yet to be confirmed as some experts pointed to a possible active earthquake fault underneath the construction site. Hokkaido residents, especially those in Hakodate City, have great anxiety.”

J-Power Managing Director Watanabe Toshifumi responded to Hatayama by saying, “It is difficult to rely entirely on fossil fuels and new energy sources. We believe nuclear power plants are necessary to sustain this country.”

In answer to the JCP representatives’ request to hold a briefing session for Hakodate residents, Watanabe stated that the company provides information to the city office and wants the city to release information to the residents.

They made similar representation to the Industry Ministry.