原発再稼働問題 自民党は傍観すべきではない

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 24, 2012)
LDP mustn't be bystander in talks on restarting reactors
原発再稼働問題　自民党は傍観すべきではない（4月23日付・読売社説）

Both the ruling and opposition parties share the same agenda on energy--avoiding a power crisis.
　電力危機の回避は与野党共通の課題である。

The main opposition Liberal Democratic Party promoted the country's nuclear power policy for many years, so it is extremely hard to understand why the party has placed all the responsibility on the current government, as if it is someone else's problem. We believe the opposition should proactively help the government restart the country's nuclear reactors.
　長年原子力政策を進めてきた自民党が、政府に全ての責任を押しつけ、他人事(ひとごと)のような態度を取るのは理解しがたい。原発の再稼働に向け、政府を積極的に側面支援すべきではないか。

In a recent speech, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki called for public understanding on the need to restart nuclear reactors. "Unless we reactivate the suspended nuclear reactors, it will lead to a number of problems, including disruption of the Japanese economy," he said.
　自民党の谷垣総裁は講演で、「再稼働を行わなければ、日本経済の混乱やいろいろな不都合が起こる」と述べ、原発再稼働の必要性に理解を求めた。

The LDP's special committee on comprehensive energy policy clearly stated in an interim report the party would promote the resumption of the nuclear reactors "on the precondition that their safety is fully ensured and local residents' understanding and approval are obtained."
　自民党の総合エネルギー政策特命委員会がまとめた中間報告でも「万全な安全確保と地元住民の理解・納得を前提」に、再稼働を推進すると明記した。

Nevertheless, the party is slow in helping reactivate the reactors.
　にもかかわらず、再稼働に向けた自民党の動きは鈍い。

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Foundation of energy system

Past LDP-led governments insisted nuclear power is essential for Japan, a country with scarce natural resources. In 1974, under the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, three laws were enacted, primarily aimed at promoting the construction of nuclear power plants by extending financial assistance to local governments hosting the plants, thereby laying the foundation of the country's energy system.
　歴代の自民党政権は、資源に乏しい日本に原発は不可欠である、としてきた。田中内閣は１９７４年、原発の地元を財政支援する電源３法を成立させ、今日のエネルギー体制の基盤を築いた。

Fukui Prefecture is home to a number of nuclear power plants, including the Oi nuclear power plant operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., which has two reactors the central government wants to restart soon. The LDP maintains a strong influence in the prefecture as it holds all three of its seats in the House of Representatives' single-seat constituencies.
　当面の再稼働の対象である関西電力大飯原発を始め、原発が集中する福井県では、自民党が衆院の３小選挙区の議席を独占するなど影響力を保っている。

The largest opposition party has made a number of proposals to the government regarding measures to reconstruct the country from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The party should in a similar manner present constructive opinions to help the government restart nuclear reactors. It is essential for the party to show consistency in its policies.
　自民党は、東日本大震災の復興策で政府に様々な提言をしてきたように、原発問題でも再稼働を後押しする建設的な意見を提示してはどうか。自民党の政策の一貫性を示すことが肝要である。

The LDP's stance also is unsatisfactory with regard to both mid- and long-term nuclear power policies.
　中長期の原発政策についても、自民党の姿勢は物足りない。

In its draft pledges for the next lower house election, the party effectively put off a decision on nuclear power by saying nationwide discussions should be held over a 10-year period. The party was unable to present a clear direction on the issue because some party members are critical of nuclear power.
　次期衆院選公約の原案では「１０年で国民的議論」と、結論を先送りした。原発に批判的な議員を党内に抱え、方向性を打ち出すことができなかったためだ。

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Realistic policies needed

Although we would like expanded use of renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power, there are no clear prospects of this. As LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has pointed out, it will be necessary not only to decommission aging nuclear reactors but also to replace them with more reliable models.
　太陽光や風力など、再生可能エネルギーの拡大を期待したいが、確かな展望があるわけではない。石原幹事長が指摘する通り、古い原発を廃炉にするだけでなく、より信頼性の高い新型に置き換えていくことも必要だろう。

Tanigaki should exert his leadership in drawing up realistic energy policies, including how to utilize nuclear power.
　谷垣総裁は原発の活用を含む、現実的なエネルギー政策の策定に指導力を発揮してもらいたい。

On the other hand, the Democratic Party of Japan, working in unison with the government, should proceed with the reactivation of nuclear reactors.
　一方、民主党も、政府と一体となって原発の再稼働を推進しなければならない。

At the same time as the government is seeking Fukui Prefecture's cooperation in restarting the Oi plant's reactors, Yoshito Sengoku, acting chairman of the DPJ Policy Research Committee, met with local Diet members and assembly members of the party.
　政府が大飯原発の再稼働へ福井県の協力を求めたのに合わせ、仙谷由人政調会長代行も地元議員らとの会合を開いた。

He stated in no uncertain terms that a political decision would be unavoidable regarding resumption of the nuclear reactors given the expected impact on companies' production and people's livelihood if they remained idle.
企業の生産活動や国民生活を踏まえ、「原発の再稼働に向けて政治決断せざるを得ない」と言明した。

To obtain understanding from local governments and residents concerned, the DPJ should abandon its irresponsible policy of ending the country's dependence on nuclear power.
　地元から理解を得るためにも、民主党は、無責任な「脱原発」路線と決別するのが筋である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 23, 2012)
（2012年4月23日01時14分 読売新聞）