Anti-nuclear Governor in Niigata

The main issue was whether to resume nuclear reactors in a power plant owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company. A new face in politics, who upheld anti-nuclear generation policy, won Niigata gubernatorial election on Sunday, defeating the contender supported by Shinzo Abe administration. Basic national policy to promote dependence on nuclear power generation will surely be damaged by the effusion of deep concern of the people in Niigata.

The election had once been supposed to be won by current Governor, Hirohiko Izumida, who was popular to the people with his firm attitude against resuming reactors in Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. However, Izumida suddenly announced late August that he would not run for next election, because of inappropriate newspaper report on his handling of local issue not related to nuclear issue. People noticed a possibility of pressure from Abe administration, hoping his stepping down.

Leading parties in central government, Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, raised Mayor of Nagaoka City, Tamio Mori, as a promoter of nuclear power generation. Although Izumida did not name his successor, Mori was supposed to be the frontrunner of the race. It was six days before the kickoff of the race when a medical doctor and lawyer, Ryu-ichi Yoneyama, stepped forward with negative policy for resumption of reactors. Japan Communist Party, Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party and the civil groups against nuclear generation supported Yoneyama.

Mori had been leading the race with firm support by conservative voters at the beginning. But, the people in Niigata Prefecture were generally negative on nuclear power generation in their place, which electric power was mainly supplied to Tokyo. Although Niigata Branch of Japanese Trade Union Confederation, main supporter for Democratic Party, rejected to officially support Yoneyama, the leaders of DP including President Renho joined the coalition of supporting him to show determination to stand against Abe administration.

It is inevitable for national nuclear policy to be disturbed by anti-nuclear movement in Niigata. TEPCO was expecting to resume the reactors #6 and #7 in Kashiwazaki-Kariwa soon. It will take time to achieve approval from Yoneyama for resuming those reactors. “I will keep the promise that I do not allow resuming the reactors as long as safety for the residents are not fully guaranteed,” said Yoneyama after the victory in the election. Struggle over nuclear generation in Japan looks like endless.