EDITORIAL: DPJ candidates must clarify their energy policies

One of the policy issues that the public is closely watching as the Democratic Party of Japan prepares for its presidential election is energy policy, including the future of nuclear power.

Although Japan's dependence on nuclear power must be gradually reduced, the country will have to continue to operate existing nuclear power plants for now. The authorities should ensure safety and make an effort to develop alternative energy sources in the meantime. The expected candidates in the DPJ presidential election are all more or less following this line.

While there is nothing wrong with their general approach, the candidates need to discuss the topic in more detail because this election is about choosing Japan's new leader. Unlike long-term and ideological themes such as constitutional revision, the energy question is a real, ongoing issue that affects the way we live now. As soon as the winner of this election is made prime minister, the new leader will have to make a series of critical decisions about the country's energy policy.

If the prime minister resorts to makeshift measures with no definite vision, people's safety and economic well-being could be put at risk. Japan's credibility in the global community could also be undermined.

Having a decided view on the future of nuclear power and energy policy, as well as clear-cut ideas about how to reach that goal, is a minimum requirement for becoming prime minister. This is a short election race and so we urge candidates present their views on energy policy in a clear and concrete way.

There were some issues with the way Prime Minister Naoto Kan presented his vision, but he did clearly point the direction Japan should be going in. There were three important parts to his energy policy:

* Not allowing the construction of new nuclear reactors and eventually abolishing all the existing ones;

* Conducting rigorous safety checks before approving the restart of nuclear reactors following routine inspections; and

* Reforming the regional monopolies created by the current electricity supply system.

He also told the world that Japan would promote renewable energy sources.

We urge candidates to clarify whether they are going to follow Kan's direction or not. Do they plan to completely abolish nuclear power or to keep some reactors? In curbing the country's dependence on nuclear power, how are they going to decide when and where reactors should be shut down. How much time are they going to spend to doing that?

If the candidates want to keep nuclear power plants, they should say so, explain their reasons for that view and solicit support for it.

In the short term, Japan must decide what rules should govern the operation of existing plants and how their safety should be secured. Among the other problems that must be urgently addressed are the threat of power shortages this winter and next summer.

In order to spread the use of renewable energy sources, a review of the current power supply system cannot be avoided. Should the government go so far as to seperate power generation from transmission and liberalize power trading? We think reform of the power industry could spur economic growth, leading to the creation of a new industry and a number of jobs.

Without the determination and tenacity needed to bring together lawmakers backing reform of the power industry from both ruling and opposition parties, it will be difficult to overcome the vested interests of politicians, bureaucrats, industries, labor unions and academics supporting the status quo.

If politicians succeed in transcending divisions between political parties and altering the existing structure, a foundation for a new economy and society could be laid out. Such leadership should be required of the new leader.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 26