Key Facts
• August 27: Niigata LDP officials visited the Cabinet Office in Tokyo.
• Delivered a request to revise the Special Measures Law for nuclear plant host regions.
• Law established in 2000 to support infrastructure in areas within a 10 km radius.
• Current law excludes municipalities within the 30 km UPZ (Urgent Protective Action Planning Zone).
• Requested expansion of law to include all UPZ municipalities and additional projects.
• Niigata LDP also met with the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
• Proposed benefits for non-electricity-consuming areas within Niigata Prefecture.
• Cabinet Office Minister pledged collaboration with relevant ministries to support host regions.
• Niigata LDP emphasized unique challenges as a power-exporting and heavy snowfall region.
• Also requested stricter oversight of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).
Summary
On August 27, Niigata’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) officials urged the Japanese government to revise the Special Measures Law for nuclear plant host regions. The law, established in 2000, currently supports infrastructure development within a 10 km radius of nuclear plants but excludes municipalities in the 30 km UPZ. The LDP proposed expanding the law to include all UPZ municipalities and extending support to agricultural and river projects. They also advocated for benefits to non-electricity-consuming areas in Niigata Prefecture. The Cabinet Office Minister assured collaboration with relevant ministries, while the LDP highlighted Niigata’s unique challenges as a power-exporting and heavy snowfall region. Additionally, they called for stricter oversight of TEPCO.
