President Ma Ying-jeou said that Taiwan should learn from Japan’s experiences with nuclear power. He made the comment while receiving a delegation of Japanese nuclear experts and politicians led by former trade minister Hiranuma Takeo on Monday.
“We know that the Japanese government is planning to reinstate nuclear power once strict safety inspections have been completed," said Ma. "We are curious about this development. I hope Mr. Hiranuma can tell us more because it is a hot topic in Taiwan. Japan’s decision to reverse its withdrawal from nuclear power can serve as an important source of reference for Taiwan.”
Japanese lawmaker Hosoda Hiroyuki said that Japan decided to restart nuclear reactors because of economic considerations.
“Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently approved a new energy plan that backs the use of nuclear power because Japan’s economic development needs its support," said Hosoda. "But only after strict safety inspections have been completed will the nuclear power plants begin operations.”
Meanwhile, Arima Akito, a nuclear physicist and the former president of the University of Tokyo said that Taiwan and Japan are both island nations that lack natural resources. So in addition to developing renewable energy, another way the two countries can ensure energy security is to find ways to safely harness nuclear power.