The government on Sept. 14 announced a new long-term energy policy that stated the government "will mobilize all available policy resources to reach 'zero operation' of nuclear power plants in the 2030s" to "realize as soon as possible a society that does not rely on nuclear power." The announcement shows that the people can, by publicly expressing their desires and coming together as one voice, pressure the government into ending reliance on nuclear power generation. Still, the people need to remain vigilant as the government's policy is ambiguous and contains contradictions.
The new policy is not a clear commitment to end Japan's reliance on nuclear power in the 2030s. In fact, even under the policy, Japan will still rely on nuclear power for about 15 percent of its total electricity in 2030, a goal which the government earlier tried to make people accept.
Of Japan's 50 nuclear power reactors, only the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant are currently online. If the government, the power industry, other industrial sectors and the household sector make a serious effort, including further cutting their electrical use, Japan should be able to end its reliance on nuclear power at an earlier date. Many people are willing to pay higher electricity bills entailed by reduction and ending of nuclear power generation.