Prime Minister aims to decarbonized, new nuclear power plant expansion "not expected at this time"

The questioning of the second day of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, attended by Prime Minister Yoshihide Kan and other ministers, began in the morning of April 4. Yukio Edano, head of the top batter, the Constitutional Democratic Party, declared in his policy speech that Prime Minister Naoto Kan would "reduce greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero by 2050," while the prime minister said he was "not currently thinking about adding new nuclear power plants."

Mr. Edano said in his response to the representative's question that he would "pursue all options, including nuclear reactors," and said, "Isn't there any contradiction? In order to realize a decarbonized society, the use of nuclear power is an option, but we are not considering new expansion." The prime minister said, "I have explained that so far. At this time, we do not expected new expansion."

Mr. Edano further pursued the question, saying, "At this time, is it because there is a possibility that it will change in the future?" The prime minister said, "It is exactly the present time. As usual, the answer and the policy will not change." Mr. Edano said, "In 30 years, most of the service life (of the current nuclear power plant) will expire. Then, when mr. Hiroshi Sasayama, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, answered, "We must develop technologies and research and development. "We will continue our efforts to improve safety."

Mr. Edano once again said, "I have heard from the prime minister as the leader of the first opposition party," but the prime minister only repeated that "as a government, we are not thinking about adding new ones at this time."

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASNC43CY3NC4UTFK00B.html