Former Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan, other DPJ members to launch group to seek exit from nuclear power

Kan, other DPJ members to launch group to seek exit from nuclear power
(Mainichi Japan) March 29, 2012


TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan and some other ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers on Wednesday decided to start a group as early as next week that seeks to create a road map for ending the country's reliance on nuclear power.


''Thinking about the future of Japan...why don't we seek a society that does not rely on nuclear power? This group is intended to properly discuss the time frame for realizing that goal,'' Kan, who was the Japanese leader when the nuclear crisis erupted at the Fukushima Daiichi complex last March, told reporters after a gathering to prepare for the group's launch.



http://www.facebook.com/nuclearfree
http://www.facebook.com/nukefree



The anti-nuclear activities led by Kan, whose efforts to end Japan's use of nuclear power date back to when he was still in office, come as the government moves closer to a decision on whether to allow the restart of some of the country's idled reactors, despite concerns among the public over their safety.


The reactors have passed safety checks that were newly introduced following the devastating nuclear accident.


Former Justice Minister Hideo Hiraoka, who also joined the gathering, told reporters, ''Edging toward restarting reactors is unacceptable to the public.''


Kan said he hopes to officially launch the group as early as next week, adding that it will try to make its views reflected in government policy.


Around 25 lawmakers, mainly those close to Kan such as former Justice Minister Satsuki Eda, attended the gathering.