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Japan eying one fifth of power from nuclear energy

Tuesday, 28 April 2015 10:09 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 28 April 2015 10:10 AM ]

The aerial photo shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex in Okumamachi, northern Japan.

Japan’s Industry Ministry says Tokyo seeks to supply a fifth of the country’s electricity from nuclear power.

The ministry said on Tuesday that about 20-22 percent of the country's electricity should come from nuclear power by 2030.

The announcement comes four years after the Fukushima disaster in March 2011, during which reactors of the plant went into meltdown after a tsunami swamped their cooling systems. The tsunami was triggered by a massive earthquake.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated following the incident due to concerns about radiation exposure. Most remain unable to go home due to fears of the contamination of the surrounding area.

Thousands of people died following the massive quake and ensuing tsunami.

The proposal by Japan’s Industry Ministry is to be put to debate by the government by the end of next month.

None of Japan’s viable nuclear reactors has been in operation since the Fukushima disaster.

The government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to lower the country's dependence on nuclear power and promote "green energy.” It, however, insists that it is unrealistic to rely too much on renewable energy because of cost and stability issues.

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