Irresponsible Roar

Former Prime Minister, Jun-ichiro Koizumi, emotionally asserted his conviction to eliminate nuclear power plant in Japan at Japan Press Club. Yes, he was right in recognizing nuclear generation as unsustainable. But, how are you achieving that, Mr. Koizumi? His simple answer was “Yes, you can, Prime Minister. It’s the best time to do that.” Abe has already answered to the request, “Promising nuclear option is irresponsible”

It was a strange press conference. Coordinator divided the 90 minute session between 80 minute speech by Koizumi and 10 minute Q&A, explaining that Koizumi did not like to answer questions from venue. Actually, he finished his speech in 60 minutes, but questions were limited in three, leaving 10 minutes to go. So, it was too restrictive to call it press conference.

In his long speech, Koizumi emphasized that as long as we have no prospect to build final disposal facility for nuclear waste, all reactors need to be stopped immediately. He insisted on the difficulty of building it in a situation that people are highly skeptical on nuclear energy after the accident in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Considering the dominance of leading party in both Houses in the Diet, Koizumi recommended Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to made his mind to dismiss all option to resuming nuclear reactors in Japan.

Koizumi carefully avoided protesting against current administration. He dismissed an idea of uniting political power to oppose Abe administration. To the skepticisms against his seriousness, he showed no explanation why he had once promoted building nuclear power plants in Liberal Democratic Party. If he really wants to be relevant on his anti-nuclear opinion, he needs to elaborate why LDP could not get rid of nuclear option for energy demands. Only thing he said was “no regret for revising wrong idea.” What was wrong and how would it be revised, Mr. koizumi?

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, literally ignored Koizumi’s proposal, saying “He said that with his own conviction.” Abe showed no response to review his resumption policy and exporting nuclear reactors to the world. Reserving room for respect to their former leader, staffs of Abe administration are feeling bitterness on Koizumi’s irregular remarks, which may erode political basis of Abe.

An important viewpoint forgotten by both is what are they doing for victims and sufferers of the disaster. Koizumi focuses on Abe’s political advantage and Abe sees only benefits for economy. There is no morality in their politics.