"Japan" may turn to thermal power as public develops 'allergy' to atomic energy

The Japan Times
Monday, March 28, 2011
By MIYA TANAKA
Kyodo News

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110328f1.html

Nuclear policy called into question
Government may turn to thermal power as public develops 'allergy' to atomic energy

As well as raising serious doubts about the safety of nuclear reactors, the Tohoku disaster has thrown into doubt the government's policy of promoting nuclear power.

But while public concern escalates over the use of atomic energy, it is uncertain how far the nation's reliance on atomic power will be scaled back, given the lack of environmentally safe equivalents and fears of power shortages hitting the economically vital Kanto region.

"If nuclear power generation becomes really difficult, even if we take measures to enhance the safety of reactors, we may have to depend more on thermal power. . . . But that option would mean going against efforts to fight global warming," the official said.

"So in that case, we may face the ultimate dilemma of whether we allow power shortages or cause global warming," he added.

(more at link)

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Something to watch.......

I'd bet that within 10 years there will be solar pv and solar hot water on more than 50% of rooftops there. They also have lots of geothermal and biomass.