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Why the disconnect? Japan’s nuclear-industrial complex is every bit as powerful as the nexus of business and the military in the U.S. There’s just too much money involved, and Japan’s “nuclear village” is circling the wagons. The moment Noda’s predecessor, Naoto Kan, announced plans to rein in the industry’s incestuous ties with government bureaucrats, his premiership was over.

Japanese deserve better. Consider, too, that only six of the 54 reactors are operating anyway. While strains will be expected, Japan is proving it can live reasonably well without the reactors the government claims are so vital to the economy.

Arguments that nuclear power is efficient, cost-effective and clean would be more persuasive if Japan weren’t so seismically active. No one is saying turn off all the reactors today. Yet unless engineers can build them out of rubber, elevate them on huge shock absorbers and address every potential risk — including terrorism — deemphasizing reactors should be a priority for any Japanese leader.

If Japan is looking for a growth industry, it could be found in an explosion of innovation and investment  in nuclear alternatives. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-04/japanese-don-t-want-a-nuclear-future-the-ticker.html