The Noda Cabinet has adopted a new environment basic plan, the fourth since the first plan was adopted in 1994. It incorporates the experience of the Fukushima nuclear crisis and says that the idea of safety should serve as the basis of the endeavor to achieve the main goals of the plan.
This is a commendable approach. Yet, the government is far from setting, say, new safety standards for nuclear power plants based on a thorough study of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. It should make serious efforts to promote safety in every sphere of society as well as energy-saving efforts and the development of renewable energy sources.
The Fukushima nuclear catastrophe has made it clear that Japan has no alternative but to push energy savings and green energy to reduce its reliance on nuclear energy and to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions.