Japan Weighs Zero-Nuclear Option

Japan is said to be considering abandoning all future use of its nuclear power facilities after national polls and public hearings revealed a broad anti-nuclear sentiment.

The government proposed three nuclear power usage options in the wake of the Fukushima disaster last year, ranging from a zero percent to a 25 percent plan as a basis for a new energy policy.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

Asahi Shimbun:

... A government panel tasked with analyzing the results of that debate is set to conclude that many citizens favor a nuclear-free society, the sources said. The government had previously expected to choose the 15-percent option.

… The strong support for the nuclear-free option has made it difficult for the government to stick to its preferred 15-percent option.

“We cannot win the upcoming election unless we put up a zero-percent policy,” a Lower House member of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan said.

Read more

ssoosay (CC BY 2.0)