ID :
331048
Thu, 06/05/2014 - 08:40
Auther :

Japan Biz Lobbies Call for Early Restart of N-Reactors

Tokyo, June 4 (Jiji Press)--Three major business lobbies in Japan on Wednesday submitted a written proposal to industry minister Toshimitsu Motegi for an early restart of idled nuclear reactors in the country. The three groups were the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, or Keizai Doyukai. "The top priority in energy policy is a quick return to inexpensive and stable supplies of electricity," the groups said in the proposal, citing rises in electricity rates and other negative effects on the economy of shutdowns at nuclear reactors across Japan after the March 2011 nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s <9501> Fukushima No. 1 plant. Keidanren Vice Chairman Norio Sasaki, also vice chairman of Toshiba Corp. <6502>, told Motegi that energy costs could become the "Achilles' heel" of the government's Abenomics economic policy package and economic growth strategy. Meanwhile, Motegi expressed hope for progress in the safety screenings by the Nuclear Regulation Authority that are required for restarts of suspended reactors. END

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