ニュース 2011/05/15 Okada stresses need to guarantee safety of those living near to nuclear power plants On May 15, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada spoke to reporters in Aomori City, while on a visit to Aomori prefecture. He commented, “During the 14th and 15th I have inspected nuclear power facilities, mainly focusing on the Shimokita Peninsula, and exchanged views with local residents. I have been made aware once again of the extremely important role that the Shimokita region in Aomori plays in Japan’s nuclear power generation. Under such circumstances, with the accident at Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, and the confidence of the Japanese people in nuclear power having been shaken, I felt that we must take thorough countermeasures.” In response to a call from local leaders to “secure evacuation routes in case of an emergency” Okada said, “It is true that all roads [in the region] run along the coast, and one can certainly envisage a scenario in which roads would become unusable in the event of a tsunami or earthquake. From the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of local residents, the state must cooperate with the prefecture to take adequate measures.” Okada added that this was something that had already been stressed by the DPJ branch in Aomori prior to the disaster, and emphasised, “Visiting the actual locations made me once again aware of the necessity of this. We must also take firm action as a party.” With regard to the resumption of nuclear power facility construction, Okada said, “Basically the accident at Fukushima occurred at a facility that was up until now thought to be safe, so it will not be possible to continue with the same conceptions as were held previously. The government has informed [power companies] that they should secure power supplies, and strengthen embankments, but we must conduct neutral inspections to confirm whether such measures alone are sufficient, and if necessary take additional measures before moving to the next stage.” Okada also commented on the fact that Takashi Yamauchi, the candidate scheduled to receive DPJ backing in the Aomori gubernatorial, the campaign for which is due to start May 19, is calling for “a freeze in the construction of new nuclear power plants”. He said, “Prime Minister Kan is also saying that we need to go back to the drawing board with regard to nuclear power policy. We also have to undertake global warming countermeasures, and up until now government thinking has produced an energy policy that relies on nuclear power plants. However, from a safety perspective, we need to hold discussions and correct this.”