Japan wants to erase nuclear power

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said yesterday that it will gradually reduce its dependence on nuclear energy and aim to achieve the ultimate goal of not using nuclear power in the future.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan promised to "wipe out" nuclear energy . Photo: AFP

Speaking at a press conference broadcast on television yesterday, the Japanese prime minister said the government will strengthen the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy.

" By reducing dependence on nuclear energy, we will strive to become a country that exists without nuclear power, " AFP quoted Kan as saying. However, Mr. Kan did not give a specific schedule for the implementation of this goal.

Once an environmental activist, Kan said he wanted to turn clean energy sources into pillars in the world's third-largest economy. According to Mr. Kan, the draft law on renewable energy will be discussed in parliament tomorrow.

He also outlined the goal of closing more than 50 reactors but not giving a specific deadline. While nearly two-thirds of the reactors are temporarily suspended for inspection, the Japanese prime minister said that energy-saving efforts will still help provide the necessary power for this summer and winter.

The statements of Prime Minister Naoto Kan were made when the pressure of his resignation grew. A survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily showed that the support rate for Mr. Kan was only 15%, the lowest level since he came to power in 2009.

Meanwhile, the fear of radioactivity increased again this week when the press reported that the meat of contaminated cattle farmed near the Fukushima nuclear plant had been transported throughout the domestic market and one much of this has been consumed. Fukushima Prefecture said it would inspect all farms in the province to see if cow's food was preserved from radiation. More than 500 farms will be tested before the weekend and nearly 2,800 farms by the end of the month.

Since the earthquake and tsunami that caused the nuclear crisis at Fukushima nuclear power plant, many countries have reconsidered the goal of developing nuclear power. In particular, Germany and Switzerland have decided to eliminate this type of energy in the next few decades.