French fission industry fingerprints on Japan's energy policy

[kristopher]

This is an excellent article that gives a peak into a facet of Japan that few appreciate - the bureaucracy leads the political sector.
The part about G8 and France highlights how the profit potential for a global nuclear industry is vesting the governments with a reason to act in ways counterproductive to both public will and the public good.

Kan, economic ministry differ over future energy policy

Prime Minister Naoto Kan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have agreed to close the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is widely regarded as vulnerable to a tsunami, but have opposite goals.

Kan wants to use the measure to transform Japan's overall energy policy toward one that places emphasis on clean energy. On the other hand, METI intends to maintain the national policy of promoting nuclear power generation at the sacrifice of Hamaoka.

...Considering the demand for electric power across Japan, it is unrealistic to immediately stop other nuclear power stations. Therefore, the focus of attention will shift to how to work out Japan's overall energy policy from a long-term perspective.

...However, noting that a majority of G8 members are in favor of the promotion of nuclear power plants, a government source says that the prime minister pledged not to close any nuclear power plants other than Hamaoka out of consideration for G8 member countries including France.

...

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110510p2a00m0na011000c.html



ETA: If you recall, the international press coverage of Fukushima dropped dramatically when France led the not-yet-explained intervention in Libya. A couple of weeks later Japanese domestic coverage also declined dramatically and abruptly when a delegation from Areva (France's nuclear "industry") showed up in the company of Sarkozy to show them how to handle the press.