Japan drops plan to boost nuclear energy

[Bonobo]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/japan-drops-plan-to-boost-nuclear-energy/article2017277/

MARI YAMAGUCHI
TOKYO— The Associated Press

Japan will scrap a plan to obtain half of its electricity from nuclear power and will instead promote renewable energy and conservation as a result of its continuing nuclear crisis, the Prime Minister said Tuesday.

Naoto Kan said Japan needs to “start from scratch” on its long-term energy policy after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant was heavily damaged by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami and began leaking radiation.

Mr. Kan told a news conference that nuclear and fossil fuel used to be the pillars of Japanese energy policy but now the government will add two more pillars: renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass, and an increased focus on conservation.

Mr. Kan also said he would take a pay cut beginning in June until the Fukushima nuclear crisis is resolved to take responsibility as part of the government that has promoted nuclear energy. He didn’t specify how much of a pay cut he would take.

“I believe the government bears a major responsibility for having promoted nuclear energy as national policy. I apologize to the people for failing to prevent the nuclear accident,” Mr. Kan said.

[laconicsax]

1. Go figure. n/t

[AsahinaKimi]

2. ne!

I follow MARI YAMAGUCHI on twitter and she follows me, I love her stuff...and shes been very kind to me.. Thanks for this update!

[MrMickeysMom]

3. This will no doubt make the 'apologies of the week' on Shearers' program

I love these types of apologies, don't you?

[hlthe2b]

4. Truth stranger than fiction, sometimes...

The headline almost feels as though it should come from the Onion given all that Japan has had to bear with respect to nuclear catastrophe. Sigh...:shrug:

How are things for you now, Bonobo? With all that has occurred in the world in recent weeks/months please know that many of us here continue to try to follow the post-Tsunami recovery and of course, the Fukushima developments. As overwhelming as the news cycle seems at times, I'm always glad to see someone seek out and post to keep us updated.