A taxi company in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, home to a nuclear power plant, refused service to Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Masatoshi Akimoto last week due to his stance against atomic power, the company said Wednesday.

A company employee refused a request from Akimoto's office for a taxi to take the House of Representatives member on a tour of the Tsuruga nuclear power plant and related facilities next Monday.

According to the firm, the employee who answered the call from Akimoto's office saw the lawmaker's website and found his stance against nuclear power.

The employee told Akimoto's office that the firm could not provide cab service because many customers work for the nuclear power facilities.

The company said it is considering disciplining the staffer, who it says acted on his own.

Akimoto, a lawmaker from Chiba Prefecture, said Wednesday the company has not apologized, although the company said it has already done so.

"Taxis are part of the public transportation system, and they shouldn't refuse providing service because of my political stance," the lawmaker said.