The choice Japan must soon make over the future of its energy policy will determine whether it will develop safer nuclear power plants, expand reliance on other energy sources or remain in power-save mode for decades to come.
The March 11 megaquake and tsunami crippled not only the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant but also the course of the nation's commitment to nuclear power, which was expected to be a major source of energy into the future.
"We will need to revise our energy policy" from scratch, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said at a news conference Tuesday.