Kan Vows Nuclear-Free Future for Japan on 66th Anniversary of Hiroshima Atomic Bombing

ABC News - japantoday.com - August 6, 2011

Doves fly by the Atomic Bomb Dome, center in background, preserved as a landmark for the tribute to the A-Bomb attack, following a speech delivered by Prime Minister Naoto Kan, marking the 66th anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing, at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Saturday.  AP

Japan's prime minister Naoto Kan renewed his pledge to help make Japan nuclear-free as Hiroshima marked the 66th anniversary of the US atomic bombing amid the Fukushima crisis.

After the March 11 quake and tsunami triggered the nuclear accident that left radiation leaking into air, soil and sea, Mr Kan said the country must reduce its reliance on atomic power with the goal of eventually becoming nuclear-free.

"The large-scale, long-running nuclear accident has triggered radiation leakage, causing serious concerns not only in Japan but also in the world," Mr Kan said at a memorial ceremony in Hiroshima's Peace Park.

"I will deeply reflect on nuclear power's 'myth of safety', investigate thoroughly the causes of the accident and fundamental measures to secure safety, as well as reduce the dependence on nuclear power plants and aim for a 'society that does not depend on nuclear power plants," he added.

Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui also called for the government to review the country's energy policy after the Fukushima accident, the world's worst since Chernobyl 25 years ago.

"The continuing radiation scare has made many people live in fear and undermined people's confidence in nuclear power," he said.

"The Japanese government must quickly review the energy policy... to regain people's understanding and trust."

It was the first time in decades that any Hiroshima mayor has questioned Japan's decades-long policy of developing nuclear power during the annual ceremony.

A city official said that some 50,000 people participated in the ceremony to remember the 1945 atomic bombing, which killed an estimated 140,000 people instantly or due to burns and radiation sickness soon after the blast.

Over 70,000 perished as a result of another US atomic attack on the port of Nagasaki three days later.

Japan, the only country to suffer atomic bombs, has a self-imposed ban against nuclear arms, part of its pacifist post-war constitution.

Saturday's ceremony was attended by representatives of more than 60 countries including the United States.

Earlier this week the government said it would sack three top energy officials over their handling of the Fukushima atomic disaster and other scandals that have eroded public trust in the country's nuclear policy.

Recent polls showed about 70 per cent of voters sided with Mr Kan's vision of nuclear-free Japan and local communities are wary of restarting reactors shut down for regular maintenance and inspection, despite fears of power shortages.

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