Japan's prime minister has called for the reopening of an idle nuclear plant, saying Japan cannot do without atomic energy.
At a news conference Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda called for all operations to resume at the Ohi nuclear plant in western Japan. He said two reactors should be restarted to support people's lives, but stopped short of ordering such a move.
Mr. Noda's government is desperately seeking to gain public support to restart the reactors to avert a summer energy crunch. All of Japan's nuclear plants are idle following an earthquake and tsunami last year that damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant and causing a partial meltdown.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered outside the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo to protest the possibility of restarting the nuclear plants.
Also Friday, the former president of Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, appeared before a parliamentary committee and apologized for the failure. He said power officials underestimated the danger of a meltdown and had not made it a major priority.
Greenpeace Japan Executive Director Junichi Sato said in a press release that experts, not politicians, should be ruling on safety. He said that Ohi is not safe, because the necessary technical improvements have not been made.
The Fukushima nuclear plant in northern Japan was destroyed on March 11 of last year, triggering a partial meltdown and releasing potentially dangerous radiation over a wide area.
After Fukushima, scientists and energy experts have been questioning whether — in the face of unpredictable natural disasters — nuclear power can ever be developed economically or managed safely.
1. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister:
“It is my decision that we should restart the Ohi No. 3 and No. 4 reactors in order to protect the people's livelihoods.”
2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister:
“Accidents such as Fukushima should never happen again. We are prepared to take measures in preventing a disaster if there is another earthquake or tsunami like the one that hit Fukushima. If all power is lost (in the nuclear facility), using this experience and knowledge we can be assured that there will be no damage to the core.”
3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister:
“I had to reach one conclusion, while the public opinion was polarized. I take full responsibility. I cannot put people's safety and livelihood at stake by not restarting the nuclear reactors. I ask for the nation's understanding that this is a decision based on trying to protect the people.”
3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Masataka Shimizu, Former CEO of Tokyo Electric Power Company:
“We caused a great accident that leaked massive amounts of radiation. For a long period of time, we have caused a great deal of concern, trouble, and anxiety to the nation and especially for the people of Fukushima. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize. I am very sorry.”
1. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) FORMER PRESIDENT OF TOKYO
ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY MASATAKA SHIMIZU SAYING:
“Last year on March 11, 2012 a Fukushima nuclear plant
was responsible for a grave incident involving the release
of radiative material. It caused immeasurable trouble and
worry to not only the people of Fukushima but to the whole
society at large and for a long period of time. I would
like to use this opportunity to apologize once more. I am
sorry.''
2. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) COMMITTEE MEMBER SHUYA NOMURA
SAYING:
“Have you had, as President, people in the past come up
to you to discuss the issue of a possible tsunami?''
3. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) FORMER PRESIDENT OF TOKYO
ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY MASATAKA SHIMIZU SAYING:
“At an executive level, you can say that we had
underestimated the issue and not dealt with it as major
priority.''
4. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) FORMER PRESIDENT OF TOKYO
ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY MASATAKA SHIMIZU SAYING:
“In my time (before the tsunami) I was never party to
any discussions on tsunami or earthquake proofing.''
