Kan calls for reform of power industry via The Japan Times

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Monday, June 13, 2011

Kyodo
Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Sunday called for “fundamental reform” of Japan’s electric power industry amid the nuclear crisis at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks at the inaugural meeting of a newly launched panel that will focus on the promotion of renewable energy in Japan. KYODO PHOTO
Kan made the remarks at the first meeting of a newly launched panel on the promotion of renewable energy that includes intellectuals and celebrities, referring to the nation’s current system of 10 regional power monopolies.

During the meeting, Softbank Corp. President Masayoshi Son said the introduction of a system for the purchase of electricity at fixed prices is necessary to make it easier to enter the electricity generation business.

Son, who has called for the state to break with nuclear power, also said that 33 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, including Kanagawa, Nagano and Shizuoka, plan to participate in joint projects with his telecom company to build solar and wind power plants across the country.

Kan pledged to reduce dependence on nuclear power after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami triggered the crisis at the Fukushima plant.

Other participants of the meeting included former national soccer team coach Takeshi Okada and music producer Takeshi Kobayashi.

Kan calls for reform of power industry