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Japanese Leader Meets With Antinuclear Protesters
TOKYO — For the first time since antinuclear rallies began months ago outside Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s office, a dozen protesters were allowed inside on Wednesday for a half-hour meeting that the fledgling movement hailed as a victory. The meeting comes at a time of growing antinuclear sentiment in Japan, and with elections expected this year.
...
On Tuesday, Motohisa Furukawa, the state minister for national strategy, told reporters that he hoped to push for the phasing-out option. But the nuclear disaster minister, Goshi Hosono, quickly countered that phasing out nuclear power should not be debated so lightly.
Mr. Noda defended his decision to allow the Oi restarts, but said Japan intended to downsize its civilian nuclear program. There was no bow and no smile, protesters noted afterward.
“We will make diligent efforts to ensure safety,” Mr. Noda said.
Last month, a candidate backing an antinuclear agenda made a strong showing in a governor’s race in a western prefecture that was considered a conservative stronghold, surprising the political elite. With nationwide elections expected this year, some politicians — including heavyweights like former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama — have made appearances at the rallies, though they have been accused of opportunism. Moreover, with Mr. Noda’s party likely to fall from power, any strategy his government settles on before a vote is more an election platform plank than a long-term national plan.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/world/asia/japanese-leader-meets-with-anti-nuclear-protesters.html
...
On Tuesday, Motohisa Furukawa, the state minister for national strategy, told reporters that he hoped to push for the phasing-out option. But the nuclear disaster minister, Goshi Hosono, quickly countered that phasing out nuclear power should not be debated so lightly.
Mr. Noda defended his decision to allow the Oi restarts, but said Japan intended to downsize its civilian nuclear program. There was no bow and no smile, protesters noted afterward.
“We will make diligent efforts to ensure safety,” Mr. Noda said.
Last month, a candidate backing an antinuclear agenda made a strong showing in a governor’s race in a western prefecture that was considered a conservative stronghold, surprising the political elite. With nationwide elections expected this year, some politicians — including heavyweights like former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama — have made appearances at the rallies, though they have been accused of opportunism. Moreover, with Mr. Noda’s party likely to fall from power, any strategy his government settles on before a vote is more an election platform plank than a long-term national plan.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/world/asia/japanese-leader-meets-with-anti-nuclear-protesters.html
