If he could turn the clock back, Naoto Kan says he would never have promoted the export of Japanese nuclear plant technology.<\/p>\n
Kan, whose tenure as prime minister was defined by his handling of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters, professed embarrassment June 4 [2013] at having pushed the policy prior to the reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.<\/p>\n
Kan, of the Democratic Party of Japan, made his comments at a gathering organized by a U.S. citizens group. The event was the first time Kan had spoken about the experience to an overseas audience.<\/p>\n
“Before March 11, I asked nations to import the technology because I felt nuclear plants were safe,” Kan said. “I am now embarrassed for having done so.”<\/p>\n
As prime minister, Kan was involved in efforts to export nuclear plant technology to India, Turkey and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
“Before March 11 [2011], I was in favor of the safe usage of nuclear plants, but my thinking has changed 180 degrees after that,” he said.<\/p>\n
The government now led by the Liberal Democratic Party continues to push the export of nuclear plant technology as part of its economic growth strategy.<\/p>\n
Kan said regarding that policy, “When we think about the future of those nations (targeted for the exports), the better option would be to introduce renewable energy sources.”<\/p>\n
Kan also revealed that he had received an invitation to speak in Taiwan where public opinion is split over a nuclear plant now under construction.<\/p>\n