The administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda wants to throw the switch on idled nuclear reactors in Oi, Fukui Prefecture, a change from his predecessor of reducing the nation's dependence on nuclear energy.
The administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda wants to throw the switch on idled nuclear reactors in Oi, Fukui Prefecture, a change from his predecessor of reducing the nation's dependence on nuclear energy.
That departure is best symbolized in the actions of Yukio Edano, the economy, trade and industry minister who oversees the nuclear energy industry.
Having served as chief Cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Naoto Kan when he stated that Japan should move away from a reliance on nuclear energy, Edano was at one time considered to share this stance.
However, on April 14, Edano visited Fukui Prefecture to ask for the understanding and cooperation of local government officials in resuming operations at the Oi nuclear power plant, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co. Two nuclear reactors at the plant are shut down for safety checks. If allowed to go back on line, they would be the first in Japan to be restarted since last year's Great East Japan Earthquake.
During his meeting with Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa, Edano said, "When we think about the current situation faced by Japanese society and the economy, there will be a need to utilize nuclear energy, which has provided electricity as a main power source until now, as an important power source in the future."
Edano told Nishikawa that the central government had made its judgment that the safety and need for resumption of operations at the Oi plant had been confirmed.
Edano likely emphasized the necessity of continuing to depend on nuclear energy because he wanted Nishikawa's support for resumption of operations.
In explaining why the Oi plant had to go back on line, Edano said, "If we enter the summer with no nuclear reactor in operation, there is the possibility of a 20 percent or so shortage of electricity."
Nishikawa responded that he viewed favorably the central government's efforts to put together new provisional safety standards in response to requests made by the Fukui prefectural government. He added that a final decision would be made on allowing resumption of operations after hearing the views of the Fukui prefectural assembly and the Oi municipal assembly.
Nishikawa also called on the central government to make further efforts to gain wider understanding for the need for nuclear power plants.
"I do not think there has been sufficient understanding by the regions consuming electricity about the contributions being made by the communities where nuclear power plants are located," Nishikawa said. "Under such circumstances, it will be difficult to obtain the support of Fukui residents toward resumption of operations at the Oi plant."
Edano also met with Oi Mayor Shinobu Tokioka on April 14.
Tokioka told Edano that gaining the support of officials of neighboring local governments would also be important.
"I hope you will explain in an understandable way the significance (of having nuclear plants) and the need for resumption of operations," Tokioka said. "It will be essential that the support of local governments in the Kansai region is obtained."
Edano told reporters after his meetings with Fukui officials that he would also seek the support of the governors of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures who have been cautious about a resumption of operations at the Oi plant.
"We have received requests from Shiga and Kyoto," Edano said. "Because the central government has decided on its stance, I will explain that position once again."
The Noda administration plans to make a final decision to restart operations at the Oi plant once it has gained the consent of local governments. However, not only is it unclear if Kyoto and Shiga prefectures will go along, but Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto has continued to take a strong stance against the restart of operations.