Whether to promote nuclear power will be the most crucial issue in the next national election, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Tuesday, rekindling speculation that he may want to dissolve the Lower House over energy policy.

Kan made the comment during a meeting of Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers, many of whom were sharply critical of his changes to the Cabinet lineup on Monday.

Many DPJ members now suspect that Kan may be trying to remain in power as long as possible, and that he could dissolve the Lower House for a snap election to appeal to voters who have started calling for use of non-nuclear power in the face of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.