Japan Muddles Messaging on Nuclear’s Role in Carbon Target
- Former minister said new atomic reactors must be considered
- Top gov’t spokesman downplays comments about mulling new units
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Top Japanese government officials contradicted each other over whether new nuclear reactors are needed to meet the country’s 2050 carbon-neutral goal.
Japan isn’t currently envisioning new nuclear plants, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said to press on Wednesday, just a day after NHK reported the nation’s former energy and economy minister, Hiroshige Seko, said additional reactors must be considered. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday that nuclear power remains an option to meet carbon goals, but didn’t specifically comment on whether the nation needs to build new units.