Koizumi on volcano eruption

Koizumi points to Mt. Ontakesan eruption as another reason to end nuclear dependence

September 30, 2014

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201409300025

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi used the deadly Sept. 27 eruption of Mount Ontakesan in central Japan to renew his call to move the nation away from its dependence on nuclear energy.

"Even experts say they never expected Mount Ontakesan to erupt. Unexpected incidents can occur at any time," Koizumi said Sept. 29, when talking with reporters. "Earthquakes, tsunami and eruptions occur all over Japan so it must not have nuclear power plants."

Koizumi made the comments while attending an anti-nuclear concert in Tokyo organized by musician and activist Ryuichi Sakamoto.

He addressed the concert audience along with Morihiro Hosokawa, another former prime minister. They both stressed the need to create a nation free of nuclear power.

Koizumi also said he will not get involved in the Fukushima prefectural gubernatorial election scheduled for Oct. 26. Dealing with the aftermath of the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, which was triggered by the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, is expected to be a major election issue.

Hosokawa said that he would also stay out of the gubernatorial race there.

"Everyone in Fukushima understands even without being told that Japan should move away from nuclear energy," Hosokawa said. "Even without saying 'no' to nuclear energy, they know what the problem is."