Recently revealed government deliberations show that Japan's industry minister is arguing for a timely restart of reactors idled following the tsunami-triggered plant blackout at Fukushima Daiichi.
Notes of a June 7 meeting between government officials obtained by Kyodo News quoted Banri Kaieda as saying he would do his “utmost” to bring plants back online, and that nuclear power would remain a part of Japan's energy strategy for the long term. The country is reviewing the way it regulates nuclear plants following the Fukushima accident, as well as it's overall energy policy. Kaieda's comments represent a counterpoint to Prime Minister Naoto Kan's support for energy saving and renewables as the primary elements of future Japanese energy policy.
An accounting by Bloomberg estimated that only 14 of the country's 54 reactors will be online in August because of maintenance outages and government delays in restarting plants since the March 11 earthquake. Many local governments have denied plants permission to restart as they wait for revised national guidelines on nuclear power.