LDP only party to oppose zero nuclear policy in public debate

[bananas]

Source: Japan Daily Press

While the Liberal Democratic Party seeks to stand out from its competition in the upcoming Upper House elections, this is one issue that may actually hurt them. In a public debate on June 29, the ruling party was the only one among nine who opposes a zero nuclear policy.

The debate in Osaka gathered all the parties that will be competing in the upcoming elections on July 21 to discuss various issues, like economic policy and constitutional revision. When asked whether they favor a future in which Japan has no nuclear plants operating at all, LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba was the lone voice who voted “No”. He defended his vote by saying that if there are no nuclear plants, there would be a noticeable increase in energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions. He says this would also further worsen the country’s trade balance. He says the government “cannot make responsible political decisions,” unless they take into consideration the negative aspects of a zero nuclear policy.

But Yasuko Komiyama, the Diet affairs committee chairperson for the People’s Life Party, begs to disagree. He says that once they have decided to permanently shut down all nuclear reactors in the country, then they will focus on research and development into alternative sources of sustainable energy. Tadatomo Yoshida, acting secretary-general for the Social Democratic Party believes that the fact that only 2 out of 50 nuclear reactors are online proves that the country can survive on electricity “without operating any nuclear reactors.”

Anti-nuclear sentiment has been spreading across the country ever since the 2011 meltdown in Fukushima, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. While the government shut down 48 of the country’s nuclear reactors due to safety concerns, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the LDP have been actively seeking to restore the offline reactors. Four electric power companies are expected to apply to restart 12 nuclear reactors when the Nuclear Regulation Authority enforces the new safety standards by July 8.

Read more: http://japandailypress.com/ldp-only-party-to-oppose-zero-nuclear-policy-in-public-debate-0131451

[bananas]

1. photo from the debate

[David__77]

2. On this, I agree with LDP.

And I think that many of those parties stating otherwise are saying so simply for political benefit, and would not follow through with it if in power.

[bananas]

3. LDP is wrong - even the head of METI said eliminating nuclear would be a net positive

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014186971

Mon Aug 6, 2012, 10:30 PM

UPDATE: Japan Can Eliminate Nuclear Power By 2030 - METI Minister

Source: Wall Street Journal

Japan's trade and industry minister on Tuesday said that phasing out nuclear power by 2030 is possible and would not be a drag on the domestic economy.

"We can do it," Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano told reporters at a press conference, referring to reducing Japan's reliance on nuclear energy to zero.

"I don't think the zero scenario is negative for Japan's economy. On the contrary, it can create growth" by driving technological innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency, he said.

<snip>

Mr. Edano added that phasing out nuclear energy is as least as possible as the other two options. His comments come after Prime Minister Noda instructed his Cabinet late Monday to look into the implications of deciding to eliminate nuclear power.

<snip>

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120806-716903.html

[bananas]

4. You have it backwards - LDP is saying it for political benefit

He represents the corrupt entrenched and politically powerful "nuclear village".

[FBaggins]

5. It didn't hurt them the last time around.

was the only one among nine who opposes a zero nuclear policy.

Yep... and the small number for whom nuclear power was the single issue driving their vote split their vote among several anti-nuclear parties. So LDP won in a walk.

There's no reason to think that it won't happen again, since the overwhelming majority have supported the party overall... and opposition to nuclear power has only declined since then.