TOKYO In a major shift in energy policy Japan is mulling phasing out nuclear power over the next three decades, an action that has raised deep concerns in the US which has conveyed that such an action can have negative effects on other countries and in other energy sectors.
In an about turn on its pro-nuclear power dependence for decades, a Japanese Cabinet panel Friday called for phasing out the use of nuclear energy to zero by 2040, permanently shutting down its stable of reactors.
Prior to the Fukushima disaster, nuclear power accounted for one-third of its energy mix.
The new energy policy is expected to face opposition from powerful business interests but is in tandem with the public mood and demand for phasing out nuclear power plants.
As Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his Cabinet work this week to decide on the future energy policy for Japan and the share of nuclear power in the energy mix, Daniel Poneman, the United States' Deputy Secretary of Energy, has shared concerns about Tokyo's goal of reaching zero nuclear usage by the 2030s, reported Jiji Press.
During meeting with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)'s policy chief, Seiji Maehara, on Tuesday, Poneman is reported to have stated that if Japan tries to make such drastic efforts, it could have unexpected results in the U.S. and other countries.
At the meeting between the two government officials, Maehara explained that while Tokyo is looking to set a target of zero nuclear reliance, they must stop short of committing to it 100%, otherwise the sellers of oil and natural gas would force unreasonable price increases on Japan.
Jiji news agency reported that Poneman urged Japan to take steps to minimize the negative effects to others countries by setting the target as zero reliance.
In effect, Poneman emphasized that if resource poor Japan begins hoarding fossil fuels, energy prices for everyone will increase.
The U.S. secretary added that discussions should continue in the future, as this is an issue that won't be resolved anytime soon.
The US has offered to help Japan expand its energy sources, such as renewables, but Maehara says there is also the need for Japan to recognize that diversification will not be a steady progress.
Nuclear energy has become an emotive issue in Japan with regular protests that sometimes attract tens of thousands of people calling for stopping its use.
The parliamentary panel has called for greater reliance on renewable energy, more conservation and sustainable use of fossil fuels.
Germany is among a few countries that has a plan in place to phase out its nuclear power plants by 2022.
In Japan, for the new policy to be adopted, it would need to be endorsement by the entire Cabinet. According to Japanese media reports the Cabinet has already agreed to the changes.
"The government will introduce every possible policy resource that would enable nuclear power generation to be at zero during the 2030s," said a government paper released Friday.
"Many Japanese hope to build a society that does not rely on nuclear power generation," the paper said.
The issuing of a policy goal Friday is not binding on any future government, and a new administration could reverse the plan.
Last week, the ruling DPJ recommended the country make greater use of renewable energy, and take further energy saving measures, including the use of smart metering.
It also said Japan should develop resources in nearby waters and look to cheaper procurement of liquefied natural gas and other fossil fuels.
But Japan's powerful business lobby has worked hard to push for a restart of shuttered reactors, fearing power shortages and warning of soaring utility bills.
"There is no way we can accept this -- I cannot think this is technologically possible," Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the Keidanren, or Japan Business Federation, said of the new policy.
Many critics view a nuclear-free Japan as unrealistic and warn that the move away from atomic power could have severe consequences for manufacturers and the world's third-largest economy.
Source: http://www.zimbabwenews.net/index.php?sid/209191146/scat/9d7afd9766a94f28
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