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China-Japan-Koreas
Japan to rethink reliance on nuclear power
2011-05-12
[Al Jazeera] Naoto Kan, the Japanese prime minister, has said that renewable energy would be a key pillar of the country's new energy policy after one of the worst nuclear crisis in years, but that it would still rely on nuclear power for much of its electricity needs.

Kan also said on Tuesday that Japan's basic energy plan to build new atomic reactors to increase the share of nuclear power in electricity supply in the future must be reviewed from scratch.

The massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11 badly damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northeast Japan, and the prolonged crisis could hamper Japan's efforts to reduce its use of fossil fuels.

"The current basic energy policy envisages that over 50 per cent of total electricity supply will come from nuclear power while more than 20 per cent will come from renewable power in 2030. But that basic plan needs to be reviewed now from scratch after this big incident," Kan told a news conference.

"I think it is necessary to move in the direction of promoting natural energy and renewable energy," he said, citing wind, solar or biomass energy as possible alternative sources - areas that Japan lag globally.

Japanese engineers are still trying to gain control of the Fukushima plant, 240km north of Tokyo, whose cooling system was knocked out after the twin disasters and four out of the six reactors at the plant remain volatile.

Kan, under fire for his handling of the nuclear crisis, last week called for Hamaoka nuclear plant, run by Chubu Electric, in central Japan to halt operations until it can be better defended against a major tsunami, and Chubu on Monday reluctantly agreed to this.

While some have lauded Kan's calls, several business leaders and media, which tend to be close to the politically influential nuclear power industry, have criticised his move as being too abrupt and lacking a sound explanation.

Kan defended his decision, saying that the request was made after careful deliberation.

Japan will need to conduct a thorough investigation into the nuclear incident, Kan said, adding he wants to call on the international community for safer use of nuclear power.

The prime minister, who is the fifth leader of Japan in as many years, is likely to speak about his country's atomic crisis at the Group of Eight summit at the end of May in La Belle France.
Posted by:Fred

#3  ION NEWS KERALA > JAPAN HAS NO PLANS TO DUMP SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL ABOARD.

D *** NG IT, THATS WHAT MONGOLIAN DESERTS, + OCEANS + FISHIES, IS FOR!

Iff ordinary Japanese are wondering why they may have to abandon their ancient homeland due to radiation-led environ destruction, WELL WONDER NO MORE!

* GUAM PDN > THREE US SENATORS URGE DECREASED US MARINE, INCREASED US AIR FORCE PRESENCE ON GUAM.

Also, PACIFICNEWSCENTER [Guam K-57]> US SENATORS CALL FOR RE-EXAMINATION OF US MILITARY BASING PLANS IN EAST ASIA, espec as per Guam-ROK-Japan realignment of forces.

* SAME > [Japan Times = Wikileak Cables] KYODO: US OFFERED JAPAN SDF'S PERMANENT PRESENCE ON GUAM, back in FEB 2010 ostensibly to improve training + joint US-Nippon disaster response region-wide coordination.

VERSUS

* JAPAN TIMES > WIKILEAKS: US CRITICAL OF JAPAN OVER ISLANDS DISPUTE WID RUSSA [Russian "South Kuriles" = Japanese former "Northern Territories"].

US wanted Japan to make a negotiated, Diplomacy-focused settlement wid Russia for LT return of the Islands, as opposed to Japan's actual hardline response which only stiffened Russia's stance.

* NHK WORLD > RUSSIA TO STRENGHEN FORCES ON DISPUTED ISLANDS. More, new Arty + Anti-Ship BMS.

* PEOPLE'S DAILY FORUM > RUSSIA TO BEEF UP MILITARY PRESENCE IN CONTESTED KURILS ISLANDS.

Again, IMO Russia's covert focii is actually agz CHINA + PLA,i.e. isolating or containing Chin influence in RFE, notsomuch Japan.

* SAME > US TO UPDATE SEA MINES, TARGETING CHINA + DPRK.

SONG LYRIC = "In the Year 2025 [NOT 2525], iff Man is still alive ...".

* SAME > WILL JAPAN'S DEEP-WATER PROBES THREATEN CHINA'S TERRITORIAL WATERS?

IOW, China's sovereign offshore "Continental Shelf" versus Japan's sovereign offshore
"Continental Shelf"???

* SAME > THE ERA OF SURFACE SHIPS AT AN END:FUTURE OF SEA WAR WILL UNFOLD BETWEEN SUBS ONLY?

* SAME > TWILIGHT OF THE [Amer-style] SUPERCARRIER.

* SAME > DOES INDIA REALLY NEED SUPERCARRIERS?

* SAME > EAST TIMOR DENIES WIKILEAKS CLAIMS ON CHINA RADAR SPY STATION, as does Beijing.

* CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > RUSSIA TO FIELD MISSLE DEFENSE-EVADING ICBM BY 2018.

* TOPIX > CHINA: PHILIPPINES INVADED [China's] SPRATLEYS IN 1970's. Complaint to the UNO.

* PEOPLE'S DAILY FORUM > CHINA IGNORES VIETNAM VOTE: CHINA REITERATES SOVEREIGN CLAIMS ON NANSHAS [SOuth China Sea].
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2011-05-12 03:04  

#2  I've heard that unicorn farts work pretty well.

Of course there are no unicorns... but lets not be negative ok?
Posted by: CrazyFool   2011-05-12 01:12  

#1  "GREEN ENERGY" is nice to have, but no one is realistically going to MARS-OR-MERCURY-N-BEYOND, i.e. DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION + COLONIZATION, depending on it.

IMO "GREEN ENERGY = HELPING HUMAN DEEP SPACE COLONIES SURVIVE WHILE WAITING FOR THE G **** D ***** LATE-AS-USUAL CARGO, TRANSPORT STARSHIP(S) + CYLON BABES TO ARRIVE FROM EARTH.

["STAR WARS" MOS EISLEY Spaceport here].
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2011-05-12 00:22  

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