社説：「脱原発」表明 目指す方向は評価する

(Mainichi Japan) July 14, 2011
PM's pursuit of nuclear power-free society should be commended, but details lacking
社説：「脱原発」表明　目指す方向は評価する

Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced at a news conference on July 13 that Japan will gradually decrease its reliance on nuclear power, with the ultimate goal of achieving a nuclear power plant-free society.
　菅直人首相が１３日、記者会見し、原発への依存度を今後、計画的、段階的に下げていき、将来的には原発がなくてもやっていける社会の実現を目指すと表明した。

This represents a fundamental rethink of Japan's basic energy policy -- a change we essentially support and appreciate, as we have repeatedly asserted that Japan has no choice but to rely less on nuclear power.
国のエネルギー政策を抜本的に見直す「脱原発」表明である。
　原発への依存を減らしていくこと、そして現実的にもそうした方向にならざるを得ないことは、私たちもこれまで何度も指摘してきたところだ。その考え方については基本的に支持し、評価したい。

What the prime minister said at the news conference, however, lacked specifics and raised numerous questions. 　しかし、首相のこの日の会見ではあまりに具体性が乏しい。

Kan said the government will aim to achieve a society without nuclear plants in the future, but when does "in the future" refer to?
将来とは一体、いつごろを考えているのか。

How will the government promote the development and introduction of substitute energy sources?
代替エネルギーをどうやって促進していくのか。

At the outset of the news conference, Kan said he would clarify his own ideas on the issue, but is it just his personal view or a policy adopted by the Cabinet or the entire Kan administration and ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) legislators?
何より、菅首相が「私自身の考えを明確にしたい」と前置きしたように、これは内閣、あるいは民主党も含めた政権としての方針なのか、はなはだ心もとない。

As Kan is supposed to step down in the not too distant future, the Cabinet and the ruling coalition should quickly work out basic policy principles on his initiative.
　いずれ遠くない時期に退陣するであろう首相だ。まず、政府・与党としての考えをまとめる作業を急いでもらいたい。

Differences have recently surfaced between Kan and Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda over whether to resume operations at two reactors at the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture, which have been suspended for regular inspections.
　菅内閣では九州電力玄海原発の再稼働問題をめぐり、首相と海江田万里経済産業相との間で「不一致」が問題になったばかりだ。

The prime minister apologized at the news conference, saying that a delay in issuing his instructions on the matter caused confusion.
一連の経過に対し、首相は会見で「私の指示が遅れ迷惑をかけた」と改めて陳謝したが、

Critics have raised doubts about how far a nuclear power-free policy has been discussed within the Cabinet.
今回の「脱原発」表明についても、早くも「どこまで閣内で議論をしているのか」という疑問の声が出ている。

Needless to say, it is indispensable to promote the policy on the initiative of the prime minister.
　もちろん、首相のリーダーシップで進めていくことは必要だ。

However, considering the fact that even top officials of the DPJ executive office are distancing themselves from the prime minister and that attention is focused on the timing of Kan's resignation, it is feared that the pursuit of an end to nuclear power will end up being merely a Kan pet project.
しかし、民主党の執行部でさえ菅首相と距離を置き始め、絶えず退陣時期が焦点となっている現状を考えれば、個人的な意見の言いっぱなしで終わる心配がある。

In the meantime, Kan declared that despite the ongoing crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, company and household power-saving efforts will be enough to carry Japan through the summer and winter without electricity shortages.
　一方、菅首相は、企業や各家庭の節電の努力の結果、今年の夏から冬にかけては「十分に必要な電力供給は可能」と明言したが、

However, his declaration apparently failed to convince the public because he did not present any supporting figures.
もっと具体的な数字を挙げて説明しないと説得力を欠く。

Moreover, he said the government will promote the use of natural gas-fired thermal power stations and take other measures to make up for electric power shortages next summer and beyond.
　さらに来年夏以降に関しては、天然ガスを使う火力発電所の活用などを挙げたが、

However, he only said he "would like to work out a specific plan" and stopped short of giving details.
「計画を立てていきたい」と語るだけだった。

Such an explanation will never convince the industrial world, where distrust of the Kan Cabinet is already growing over inconsistency in basic policy.
これでは、ただでさえ方針が二転三転する菅内閣に不信感を強めている産業界などは納得しない。

The important question is how the government will protect people's safety and livelihoods as well as business.
　国民の安全と暮らし、経済活動をどう保っていくか。

It is certainly an important policy issue that members of the public should decide on.
確かに首相がいうように国民が選択すべき政治課題である。

The issue will emerge as a major point of contention in the next general election, and it is the DPJ's responsibility as the governing party to clearly show its basic thinking on the issue.
いずれは総選挙の大きな争点ともなるだろう。だからこそ、政権与党の責任として民主党の考えをまとめることが必要だ。

The prime minister again stopped short of clarifying the timing of his resignation during the news conference, but his failure to do so could give rise to groundless speculation that he is trying to use his anti-nuclear power policy to cling to power.
　首相はこの日も退陣時期を明確にしなかったが、まさか「脱原発」を自らの延命の材料にするつもりはなかろう。

The issue should also be discussed during the DPJ presidential election to pick Kan's successor.
次期代表を決める代表選でもきちんと論議すべきである。

毎日新聞　2011年7月14日　2時31分