Koizumi and Yoshida: Nuclear-free society a common goal

October 29, 2013

Koizumi, Yoshida agree on nuclear-free society

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131029_44.html

Former prime minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi and the leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party have agreed that the country should stop generating nuclear power.

SDP leader Tadatomo Yoshida, who assumed his post this month, met Koizumi in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Koizumi said continuing nuclear power generation would be irresponsible and impossible. He said the public cannot understand the policy of building nuclear waste disposal sites in the earthquake-prone country.

Yoshida asked Koizumi to work with him toward achieving a nuclear-free society.

Koizumi said each party must work to achieve the goal.

He added that he will continue his own efforts, and that appealing to public opinion is the only way to get the government to end nuclear power generation.

Yoshida later told reporters that he hopes to create a larger movement toward a nuclear-free society, now that he's confirmed that he and Koizumi share ideas.

Oct. 29, 2013 - Updated 10:56 UTC