In the wake of the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant three years ago, Japan's government decided to phase out nuclear power. Other governments, notably Germany's, followed Japan's lead.
But Wednesday, Tokyo reversed course. It issued a draft energy plan that includes restarting idled nuclear reactors. Now, the energy issue looms large over Japan's efforts to stage a comeback from two decades of economic stagnation.
The Basic Energy Plan sends very mixed signals. It says Japan will reduce its dependence on nuclear energy as much as possible. It also says nuclear will remain a key source of electricity. It doesn't offer any timetables, or specify the proportion of fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear in Japan's energy mix.
Toshikazu Okuya — an official in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which issued the plan — says Japan is facing a dire energy crisis.
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