Japan should gradually become a society that does not have to rely on atomic power, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Wednesday amid the continuing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.
"I think that's the direction our country should head toward," Kan told a televised news conference. But he did not specify a timetable, saying it is too early to outline specifics.
Kan also denied that he is planning to call a snap election over energy issues, amid strong speculation that he may dissolve the Lower House this summer to try to break the political stalemate.