20 May 2015
Prime Minister (Leader of the LDP) Mr. ABE Shinzo
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mr. MIYAZAWA Yoichi
Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan
Co-Representatives: SAKURAI Katsunobu (Mayor of Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture)
MIKAMI Hajime (Mayor Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
MURAKAMI Tatsuya (Former Mayor Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture)
Secretary General: UEHARA Hiroko (Former Mayor Kunitachi City Tokyo)
In strong Opposition to 20-22% Nuclear Power in the 2030 Energy Mix
In the outline proposal delivered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry during theCouncil concerning Japan's 2030 Energy Mix, “nuclear power” is to account for “approximately20-22%” of Japan's overall electricity use.
We, members of the 'Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan' network, believe that there aremany problems with this proposal, and are strongly opposed to it.
Firstly, in its manifesto during the 2012 Lower House elections, the current Liberal Democratic
Party administration, promised that “the feasibility of all energy sources will be thoroughlyexplored. As well as securing energy sources necessary to maintain societal and economic
activities, we aim to establish an economic and societal framework which does not need torely on nuclear power.” Even in its 2014 elections manifesto, the administration stated that“dependence on nuclear power will be reduced as much as possible through the maximum
introduction of energy conservation and renewable energies, and high-efficiency utilisation ofthermal power generation.”
There is a huge difference between using 20-22% nuclear power and these two election
pledges. As the ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party should bring the contents of theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry's proposed energy mix in line with these election
pledges. To do otherwise would invite a lack of confidence in politics, and could lead to thedestruction of democracy.
Secondly, to maintain the level of "20-22%," there would be no choice but to extend theoperation of current nuclear power plants, or to construct new plants. The government hasrepeatedly stated that “no new nuclear power plants will be built.” On the other hand, after theFukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident the Nuclear Reactor Regulation Law has beenreviewed and the life span of nuclear power plants has been established in principle as 40 years.
There is no legitimacy in stating these figures, which are inconsistent with this law.
Third are the voices of those from the affected municipalities. One of the municipalties affectedby the Great East Japan Earthquake is Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture. The mayor ofthe city, Mr SAKURAI Katsunobe, held a press conference on April 15, during which he said that
nuclear power “is unacceptable from the viewpoint of revitalizing industry and protecting the livesof residents” and that the “reduction of the ratio of renewable energy would be a drawback forbusinesses considering entering the market. Affected areas that have fallen behind (due to thedisaster) would become unable to attract business, which would be a blow to revitalizing
industry.”
We, as the mayors of municipalities charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives ofresidents and assuring that they can lead a peaceful life, hereby express our opposition for thereasons listed above to the proposed electricity mix of 20-22% nuclear energy by 2030.
Contact: Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan Secretariat
169-0075 Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Takadanobaba 3-13-1-2F
TEL: 03-6851-9791, FAX:03-3363-7562