nuclear-news

Referendums in Japan about nuclear power?

Fukushima Watch: Japan Mulls Referendum on Nuclear Power, WSJ,  By Mitsuru Obe, June 22, 2012,  Do Japanese want nuclear power? Why not find out in a referendum? That’s what proponents of putting the nuclear question to the people are saying, pointing out that similar polls have been held in the United States, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden. Trade and industry minister Yukio Edano is one prominent proponent. Even before
his ruling Democratic Party of Japan came to power, ……As industry minister, Mr. Edano
oversees Japan’s power industry…

.. Unlike public opinion polls, referendums are supposed to be preceded by a period of intense public discussion. In Japan, a national referendum is required only for constitutional amendments. Such ballots can be called on other issues, but their verdicts have no binding power.

This differs from Europe, where national referendums with binding power have been held numerous times on nuclear power.

In June 2011,
three months after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, a referendum was
held in Italy and people overwhelmingly supported an exit from nuclear
power….Proponents of referendums remain unfazed. Groups that collect
enough signatures can put forward a motion to municipal or regional
assemblies, requesting them to vote on whether to hold local
referendums. In Shizuoka Prefecture, such groups are widely expected
to collect enough signatures to field a motion for a regional
referendum. The prefecture hosts the Hamaoka nuclear plant, which was
halted by the government last year due to safety concerns.

In Niigata Prefecture, home to Tepco’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, a
two-month signature-collection period starts Saturday, the prefectural
government said.
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/06/22/fukushima-watch-japan-mulls-referendum-on-nuclear-power/

June 23, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, politics