Asia-Pacific

Official: Japan won't abandon nukes despite crisis

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-08 12:53

TOKYO?- A top Japanese official says Japan will maintain atomic power as part of its energy policy despite the country's ongoing nuclear crisis.

The Spent Fuel Pool of Reactor Unit 4 of Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) Co's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Fukushima prefecture is seen in this still image taken from video on May 8, 2011, and released May 8, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]?

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Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said Sunday that Japan will "stick to nuclear power as a national energy policy." He made the comment on a talk show on public broadcaster NHK.

Sengoku also said the government has no plans to halt nuclear reactors other than three at the Hamaoka power plant in central Japan. On Friday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said he had asked the plant to suspend operations at the reactors until a seawall is built and backup systems are improved.

A March 11 earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in the north and left more than 25,000 people dead or missing.