The move comes as Prime Minister Naoto Kan calls for
enhanced nuclear safety accountability and an overhaul of Japan’s energy
policy, with the aim of gradually weaning it off its dependence on nuclear
power as public safety concerns mount.
It also follows a series of scandals in which government
officials in charge of safeguarding the operations of nuclear power plants
tried to influence public opinion on atomic energy.
Trade Minister Banri Kaieda, who played a key role in
handling the Fukushima crisis, vowed to carry out major changes in the
ministry’s personnel, including the three top officials. Kaieda has also said
he intends to eventually step down to take responsibility for missteps.
“I’m planning to breathe fresh air into the ministry with a
large-scale reshuffle,” Kaieda told a news conference.
“I’ll have new people rebuild the ministry.” The unpopular
Kan, who has said he will step down without specifying when, was instrumental
in the decision, the Asahi newspaper reported.
But the planned dismissal is unlikely to be a game-changer
for Japan’s future energy policy or public perceptions against Kan, whose
public support rating is hovering under 20 percent.
As he hangs on to his job, Kan has announced big policy
visions including the energy policy overhaul, but it remains unclear how much
of his initiative will stay after he quits.
“It is difficult to think that the direction would change
hereafter with this,” said Katsuhiko Nakamura, Executive Director at think tank
Asian Forum Japan.
“The first impression I get is that this is a kind of
performance that Kan does. Questions will be raised after this on whether
energy policy is moving forward based on a comprehensive debate and how much
policy coordination has actually taken place.” Kan, who in May ordered a
shutdown of a nuclear plant in central Japan citing earthquake worries, has
expressed growing distrust toward the trade ministry. The ministry promotes
nuclear power while housing the atomic safety regulator that has been
criticized for being too cozy with firms it must police.
The government plans to unveil as early as this week its
plans for a new and more independent atomic safety regulator that could lead to
tougher safety standards.
Kaieda himself has said he will resign to take responsibility
for confusion caused by the government’s sudden announcement of reactor safety
tests last month. He recently broke down in tears at a parliamentary hearing
after being hounded by the opposition about the timing of his resignation.
But the embattled minister did not say on Thursday when he
will quit. The Asahi newspaper reported that Kaieda intended to step down as
soon as possible after sacking the three officials.
The three officials are the top bureaucrat at the trade
ministry, the head of the nuclear safety watchdog and the chief of the Agency
for Natural Resources and Energy, both of which are under the trade ministry.
Public trust against nuclear safety has been shattered after
the radiation leaks at Fukushima nuclear plant, triggered by a huge quake and
tsunami in March, and suspicion deepened last week after a utility firm
revealed the atomic regulator tried to manipulate the outcome of a debate on
nuclear power in 2007.
Following the Fukushima disaster, Japan has been trying to
avoid power shortages that could curtail manufacturing and damage the frail
economy, as only 16 out of 54 reactors are running due to public safety
concerns and other problems.
