EDITORIAL: Government should not lead nuclear technology sales drive

The government has decided to continue promoting exports of Japanese nuclear power technology, at least for the time being.

During the current Diet session, lawmakers have been considering a proposed nuclear deal between Japan and Jordan.

In the face of rising oil prices and growing concerns about global warming, countries around the world, especially emerging nations, are scrambling to introduce nuclear power generation.

The government led by the Democratic Party of Japan has bet that the trend may offer the principal driver of its new strategy for economic growth.

The government has decided to promote nuclear power technology as Japan's main infrastructure export and launched an international sales promotion campaign led by the prime minister.

But the devastating accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has changed the situation dramatically.

In drawing up guidelines for a review of the new growth strategy, the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has adopted a policy of reducing the nation's dependence on nuclear power with official Cabinet approval.

The government has effectively relinquished plans to build new nuclear reactors, and reactors that have been stopped for regular safety checks remain offline with no clear prospect for the resumption of their operations.

There can be no reasonable case for the government to lead efforts to sell nuclear technology to other countries when one of the worst nuclear accidents in history has taken place in this nation, raising many serious questions about the future of atomic energy.

With the situation at the Fukushima complex not under control yet, the government has no time to engage in such activities in the first place.

The joint sales campaign for nuclear power technology involving the government, manufacturers and utilities was launched in response to requests from potential importers. Countries planning to introduce nuclear power generation for the first time have asked Japan to help them not only with the construction of plants but also with actual operations, maintenance, training of workers and regulations.

But the nuclear crisis has laid bare many problems with electric power companies that operate and maintain nuclear power facilities. It has also revealed serious flaws in the nuclear safety and regulatory systems.

Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operates the crippled Fukushima power station, has already announced its total withdrawal from the business of exporting nuclear power plants.

Other utilities are also under strong pressure to make a sweeping review of their nuclear power businesses.

It is doubtful whether Japan's sales drive for nuclear power technology has a reasonable chance of success when the leading player has left the team.

If Japan competes with other exporters under the current circumstances, it may end up stuck with unfavorable terms concerning compensation for accidents and aid in other areas.

The three Japanese manufacturers of nuclear power plants are all sufficiently competitive in the international market.

It would make better sense for them to join forces and form a powerful team for sales promotion armed with their original technologies and networks than to remain hobbled by the restrictions due to government involvement.

Japan has already concluded a nuclear power cooperation agreement with Vietnam and is in talks with Turkey over a similar pact. The government should provide these countries with detailed explanations about relevant problems and circumstances at home while reconfirming their wishes and intentions.

The government should at least restrain itself from taking on the leadership role in the campaign.

After an exhaustive investigation into the causes of the accident and serious soul-searching on the mistakes it has made, the government should focus on using the lessons learned from the harrowing experience in enhancing safety regulations and building an effective evacuation system and a framework for compensation for accidents.

That would be the best possible contribution Japan can make to the good of international society.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 23