Kishida Defends Pro-Nuke Power Stance Before Lawmakers

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida defended his pro-nuclear energy policies on Monday, saying that re-starting nuclear power plants mothballed since the 2011 Fukushima disaster was vital, Sakura Murakami reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: All of Japan's nuclear power plants were shut down after the Fukushima disaster, which highlighted failings in regulation and oversight.

Energy became a key issue during the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) recent leadership race, during which Kishida beat Taro Kono, a former vaccine minister who had spoken out against nuclear energy, to become prime minister.

"It's crucial that we re-start nuclear power plants," Kishida said as he faced opposition questions in parliament for the first time since becoming prime minister last week.

Kishida was responding to questions from Yukio Edano, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), on the government's policy for sustainable energy and if nuclear power would be part of the plan.

Nuclear energy has been contentious in Japan, especially since a 2011 earthquake off the coast triggered a tsunami that smashed into a nuclear power plant in the Fukushima region north of Tokyo, causing one of the world's worst nuclear accidents.

All of Japan's nuclear power plants were shut down after the disaster, which highlighted failings in regulation and oversight. While some reactors have been coming back on stream, most remain shut.

Kishida is leading the LDP into a general election on Oct. 31 when priorities for many voters will likely be bringing an end to the coronavirus pandemic and rebuilding a weak economy.

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