Koizumi asks Abe to ditch nuclear power

Former PM wants Abe to use nature as resources.

Former Japanese premier Junichiro Koizumi urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to abandon nuclear power, adding more pressure on the government to re-consider its position supporting the unpopular atomic energy industry. Koizumi, however, supported nuclear power when he was prime minister.

A survey by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper showed that 60% of those polled supported Koizumi's zero-nuclear proposal.

"If the LDP decided on abandoning nuclear power, all the parties would be for the policy as the opposition is already supporting it," Koizumi said. "What a magnificent and fantastic project it would be. He can get to use his power to utilize nature as resources. There are no other prime ministers who are as lucky as he is."

Koizumi said if money used to build nuclear plants was spent on renewable energy, it would spur a range of technological development.

In response to Koizumi’s call, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government intended to stick to its policy of gradually reducing nuclear power's ratio in the country's energy mix.

"The government believes it is extremely important to administer its energy policy in a responsible manner," Suga said.