New minister
September 12, 2011
Edano will replace Yoshio Hachiro, who was forced to resign Saturday over serious errors in evaluation about the areas near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the Kyodo News agency reported.
47 year-old Edano, a lawyer turned politician, was the chief cabinet secretary in the previous government of Naoto Kan and became known for his numerous press conferences after the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan’s Fukushima nuclear facility on March 11 this year.
'Towns of death'
The plant has leaked radioactive material since it was hit by the earthquake and tsunami. Hachiro referred to "towns of death" in the surrounding area Friday after he accompanied Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to inspect the nuclear complex.
The resignation came only eight days after the new government was officially formed. The post of industry minister is considered to be one of the most important for Noda's government, which will oversee the restarting of idled nuclear reactors in the wake of the crisis.
Energy crisis
Earlier this month, Shikoku Electric Power Company halted reactor number 1 at its Ikata Nuclear Power Station in western Japan for a regular checkup, meaning only 11 of the nation's 54 reactors are currently in operation.
Japan relied on nuclear power for 30 per cent of its electricity before the crisis. The shutdowns have caused concern about power shortages and a national debate on the country's energy policy.
Author: Manasi Gopalakrishnan (dpa, AFP)
Editor: Grahame Lucas