Former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi's call for Japan to end its reliance on nuclear power is causing a stir as the country discusses future energy policies.
Koizumi, who is retired from politics, has recently been voicing his views against nuclear power in public.
In a speech on Wednesday, he reiterated his position.
Koizumi said if the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party decide that Japan should end nuclear power generation and use renewable energy instead, most of the Japanese people would endorse the policy.
LDP members are troubled by their former leader's remarks.
Some say Koizumi's position is incompatible with the party policy to promote the resumption of the country's idled nuclear plants while respecting the nuclear regulation body's safety assessments. Others worry that Koizumi's remarks could give the impression to the public that the party is divided on the issue.
Source: NewsOnJapan
