Noda says Japan will restart nuclear reactors, but review energy policy

But it is a town of death.

To change it into a town of life maybe the entire Japanese government should be relocated there (to include the PMs official residence and the apartments of all Diet members and their staff. If they were forced to endure the hardships of the common people maybe they would find motivation to work harder towards the goal instead of playing stupid political games every day!

Restart with already one plant out of control and Nigatta and Dainichi both damaged by earthquakes? No fences around most seaside reactors that can stop a 20 metre tsunami and very big earthquakes expected to rock Tokyo, Nagoya and Wakayama!!! How much is he getting paid by big business for this one?

“the spirit of dignity of all Japanese that was displayed despite the hopelessness of this giant disaster.”

Uhum, "cough, cough!" Yeah, right! The only thing displayed was the dithering and secretiveness of all parties concerned and it is still going on!

History will repeat, the government didn't learn from this mistake.

Way to go Noda, first month on the job and already making people want a vote!

The nuclear village will eat and drink well tonight.

Almost 3/4 the of Japanese oppose this energy and his PM ignores them and wants to restart reactors. Why? 11 are on and no shortages. This is democracy? Lol. Call it what it is.

Uhum, "cough, cough!" Yeah, right! The only thing displayed was the dithering and secretiveness of all parties concerned and it is still going on!

Really? Criticize the hell out of the gov't and TEPCO but the people of Tohoku have endured worse than you and I will ever likely know. And they've done it while maintaining their humanity....

Noda said he will fight to erase fears in the public about illnesses in children and pregnant women,

How do you fight the Reality of the masive radiation leak at Fukushima and subsequent contamination of foodstuff from this event.

work to ensure food safety and to compensate farmers

Foodstuff should have been quarantined and left to decompose in the fields, culling of livestock etc.

and others who suffered damage from the massive radiation leak at Fukushima.

and others who suffered damage from the massive radiation leak at Fukushima.

For to make this a quote. I think the compensation for all involved is a Good thing.

This new Prime Minister is dreaming if he thinks he can erase fears in the public about illnesses in children and pregnant women!! If you ask me, I think his term in office will not last long. He is going to restart the nuclear reactors when almost everyone in Japan are against it. There are so much radiation thats being spewed out everyday and he want to restart more reactors that are deemed safe. What is safe!! When it comes to radiation and nuclear reactors, nothing is safe. He is just another politician that is in denial and who does not care about anything but himself. If he wants to make example, why don`t he move his whole family into Fukushima and while he is at it, he should move all of his fellow politicians there with him!!

"Noda said he will fight to erase fears in the public about illnesses in children and pregnant women, work to ensure food safety and to compensate farmers and others who suffered damage from the massive radiation leak at Fukushima."

So once again we're hearing a PM make a bevy of promises he has absolutely no show of a plan on HOW he will keep them, and we're heading straight back into the dangers this nation has a chance to lead the world away from. Way to go, Japan! Why didn't he promise he would end war around the world and have everyone with debt balanced and back in the black by years end?

"dame de motomoto" meaning 'there is nothing to lose' (further). Go ahead and may God bless Nippon.

some14some: ""dame de motomoto" meaning 'there is nothing to lose' (further)."

There most certainly is, and we'll most likely see it happen sooner rather than later.

There most certainly is, and we'll most likely see it happen sooner rather than later.

afraid yes, that's why i have sought God's blessings.

Reassure people that radiation will not cause cancer or birth defects? You mean brainwashing them into not being concerned so the produce can still be sold and he can do nothing to protect people. By the time things really get bad, I doubt anyone will even remember Noda's name.

Say nice things, people feel better...that's about it

Still spewing toxic *rap, but the newest PM says nice things about the on going disaster Just fill out your 60 page claim form , don't make a mistake and you might get a token amount for all the trouble. Get a job and shut up seems to be the message.

Thermonuclear energetics FTW!

“the spirit of dignity of all Japanese that was displayed despite the hopelessness of this giant disaster.”

Yeah right. I found the way TEPCO tried to run away from Fukushima Daichi and leave it melting down (until, apparently, turned back by Kan) soooo dignified.

he said that the burden of the recovery costs from the disaster should not be left to future generations.

Read: we're going to pay the victims peanuts. Meantime TEPCO will up electricity prices and come whining to the government to pay all their side of the deal.

What he can guarantee is he won't be in office by the time anyone gets cancer as a direct result of the Fukushima accident. It will be the PM at that time bowing his head.

I don't have much faith that these bozos will act in the best interest of Japan as they are not held responsible when they just act in the best interest for themselves. But regardless, I will let their actions do the talking rather than their mouths.

First Zichi you make too many comments. Second, in a poll reported by AFP and published in Mainichi on Aug 22 'Japan poll finds 74% support nuclear phase out', we have clear evidence that 3/4ths of Japan iPods nuclear energy. Look it up before challenge it.

Third Japan HAS had massive protests - for Japan, that is. Tens of thousands have been protesting since March, and that is major for Japan. Why nor more? You should know if you've have the time in Japan you claim to have.

Fourth, a referendum would be the best indicator. I agree. So do politicians. And that is exactly why there won't be one. They already know the outcome would be 80-90% against nuclear energy, something the country clearly doesn't need. How? According to a report released Monday by Greenpeace and ISEP they could end all plants next year and achieve 43% of energy from renewables, see for yourself http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110913a7.html

Stick to facts.

'I support' and 'I don't think' etc is your opinion, zichi. I've posted verifiable facts anyone can look up. So when you say all the plants can't close by the end of next year (it's not this year btw it's next year, so at least READ the article before stating false information) you're chooosing to ignore two respected organisations, one of which is Japanese in Tokyo called the Institue for Sustainable Energy Policies. They have a pretty good idea what they're saying.

Oh and the numerous comments isn't necessary. Get a blog. And then deal with reality: until the Japanese demand a referendum, they won't get one. Wishful thinking is just that. And yes those protests are large - in terms of Japanese numbers. Why? Because they never protest anything. And you can't deny the polls, and there are plenty more that say the majority of the country oppose nuclear power. A referendum is NOT a poll. It's a form of direct democracy tha is binding law; it carries weight, unlike the newspaper polls. Big difference. We already know the POV of Japanese. And thanks to your ndless messages, yours too.

I smell some serious BS! How in the hell can this idiot Noda say that we need to bring back the nuclear reactors?? When we all know that in the next few weeks, months etc...Tohoku, Tokyo etc..will get jacked over by the same magnitude quake and tsunamis or even worse! The IAEA needs to come down HARD on stupid Japan ASAP!

What would you seriously think if you walk into central Tokyo when it has been evacuated for some reason, with no one around, no animals, not a single soul. Town of the living??? I don't get why would people get offended. I do understand Hachiro just ran away.

minnasama wo koroshitai? i would put noda san on the top of the fukushima reactor building and restart the reactor. he would talk another way, i guess. the sick thinking of the japanese government will never change

Zichi, just notice that "beangry" certainly is. Write all you want. We have serious business here to consider and sniping isn't going to make it go away or give new insights. Hopefully beangry-san will cool off soon. BTW, and I the only one who has to reset my password every day to register to add a comment?

Welcome back to LDP style rule by administrative guidance - politicians just sitting there collecting back handers and campaign contributions while leaving it to bureaucrats to run the country in cruise control, backing a bunch of policies that the country clearly shows in polls it doesn't want (a return to nuclear power reliance), and without any mandate from anyone to do.

I wouldn't be surprised if he soon repeals Ozawa's rule that bureaucrats are not allowed in parliament to answer questions on policy in Q&A. This is just a complete surrender of the change that the DPJ was supposed to represent.

Shameful.