Koizumi defends his opinion on nuclear policy

November 3, 2013

Ex-PM Koizumi defends antinuclear drive, seeks policy change

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131103p2g00m0dm085000c.html

YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi defended his antinuclear stance on Sunday, urging the government to change its policy of restarting atomic power generation in the wake of the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Koizumi brushed off criticism that he was "irresponsible" for calling on Japan to phase out nuclear power generation, saying in Yokohama that the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe "should discuss how to introduce renewable energy that would substitute for atomic power."

The former leader, who promoted nuclear power generation when he was in power, justified his change of attitude, saying, "People often change their minds." As an example, he referred to the fact that Japan became an ally of the United States after World War II, even though the two countries were enemies during the war.

He said it would be impossible to build a permanent disposal site for spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste in Japan due to opposition from local residents.

Koizumi pointed out that a disposal site was not built even before the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

"If a strong leader emerges, can he or she achieve the construction of a site that can be used for 100,000 years by ignoring oppositon of local residents?" the former premier asked. "It would be optimistic and irresponsible to think that it is possible," he said.

Koizumi is scheduled to speak about Japan's energy policy at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on Nov. 12.