TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government has given up launching a new nuclear regulatory agency on Sunday amid resistance from opposition parties, leaving the country with no other option but to maintain the current nuclear safety framework that has lost public trust in the wake of last year's devastating nuclear accident.''It is extremely deplorable that the launch of the agency is not in sight,'' nuclear disaster minister Goshi Hosono told a press conference Friday, referring to the fact the Diet has not even begun deliberating the related bills.
The existing Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will continue to serve as the primary regulatory body, and the Nuclear Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office, which has overseen NISA's activities, will also remain in place.
The commission's chairman Haruki Madarame, who had expressed his desire to step down at the end of March, said Friday that he will remain in office as requested. Read More
