No laws have been passed yet, but such a huge bold statement, even as they continue to hide some of the worst, this is not a risky unpopular direction. The end of nuclear power in Japan has leaders, political power and government. I dare the (very right wing) Liberal Democratic Party to be the "ProNuke Party" as they attempt to regain power from this Party. It might even save this Prime Ministers ass.
Japan, the ultimate nuclear power nation, is abandoning the failed god. Joining Germany, Switzerland and more, with the US having built no nuclear power for more than twenty five years, our effective "moratorium" is understood as a Memorial, and we can gird our loins to battle any politician who would endanger our home.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan told a news conference that the risks are too high and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass should eventually replace nuclear as a new pillar of Japan's energy supply, along with conservation.
"We should seek a society that does not rely on nuclear energy," Kan said. "We should gradually and systematically reduce reliance on nuclear power and eventually aim at a society where people can live without nuclear power plants."
Japan's nuclear strategy has come under intense scrutiny since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami touched off leaks, explosions and meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant northeast of Tokyo.
Kan said he used to believe that nuclear energy could be useful as long as ample safety measures are taken, but the recent crisis forced him to change his view.
"As I've experienced the March 11 accident, I came to realize the risk of nuclear energy is too intense," Kan said. "It involves technology that cannot be controlled by our conventional concept of safety."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/...