Japan Future Party OK with restarting reactors?

December 1, 2012

Nuke power foe Kada open to reactor restarts

Jiji

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121201x3.html

Shiga Gov. Yukiko Kada, who founded the antinuclear Nippon Mirai no To (Japan Future Party) last week, on Saturday signaled the possibility of supporting the restart of atomic reactors if their safety is verified.

"If the Nuclear Regulation Authority guarantees their safety and the government concludes there is a need, (reactors) would resume operations," Kada said on a TV program.

"It may sound correct in theory to say that we can approve (reactor) operations if there are safety standards. But, first of all, we will not allow any further increase in (nuclear) waste," she said.

Kada has previously insisted that none of Japan's 48 idled reactors should be restarted because the NRA has yet to lay down new safety rules.

Her remarks could cause controversy at a time when Nippon Mirai no To is gearing up for the Dec. 16 election on a platform backing the complete elimination of atomic energy, and given the strong opposition to firing up reactors within her party.

Kada said she will make her first poll speech Tuesday in Fukushima Prefecture, home to the crippled Fukushima No. 1 plant