Enigin Update - Mixed Nuclear Message from Japan - but Energy Efficiency Needed
JAPAN’S Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda pledged to do his "utmost" to get nuclear reactors operational, adding nuclear power will remain a core energy source for Japan.
Kaieda’s pledge came during a government panel meeting earlier this month and has come to light through previously undisclosed minutes of the meeting. It seems to be a backlash from his ministry against Prime Minister Naoto Kan's plan to increase energy-efficiency measures and renewable energy as the future of Japan’s national energy policy, as we reported on these pages last week.
Kaieda made the remark at the meeting of the government’s task force in charge of formulating new growth strategies, which also discusses innovative energy and environmental strategies. Task force chair Prime Minsters Kan, had told the meeting of the plan to create a new agency to promote use of natural energy, and improve energy efficiency, according to the leaked minutes.
Kaieda, seemingly opposing this, said the government would create a "best mix" of nuclear power, fossil fuels and renewable energy to meet medium- and long-term energy needs, along with energy efficiency.
Kaoru Yosano, Economic and Fiscal Policy minister, said that Japan should continue to promote nuclear power generation as a national policy.
WWF Japan, Greenpeace Japan and 14 other environmental groups issued a joint statement stressing that it is unacceptable for Japan to hold private deliberations on energy and environmental policies, out of the public arena.
After the Fukshima nuclear reactor meltdown the Nuclear Safety Commission revealed it will launch a review within weeks, screening guidelines for safety, quake resistance and disaster preparedness at Japan’s nuclear power plants.
Of the current guidelines, one requirement stipulates that "there is no need to presume that all power sources may be lost for a long period of time," this policy was proved disastrously wrong by the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
Hence NSC Chairman Haruki Madarame told a news conference Monday: "We have to conduct a thorough review of the guidelines so nuclear plants can cope with unexpected situations, including a loss of power sources in the event of a tsunami.”
Whether Japan focus on nuclear energy in the future or not, the bottom line is they need to continue to pursue energy efficiency to deal with current problems and future demands.
Enigin have energy efficiency solutions to enable Japanese businesses and governmental organisations to be able to significantly improve their energy efficiency, and gain control of their energy use, all available globally through Enigin Distributors.
Picture: Asakusa Tokyo Japan by Retina Funk
