Japan's new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, defended his pro-nuclear energy policies on Wednesday, saying that re-starting nuclear power plants mothballed since the 2011 Fukushima disaster was vital.

Energy became a key issue during the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) recent leadership race, during which Kishida beat Taro Kono, a former vaccine minister who had spoken out against nuclear energy, to become prime minister.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-ruling-party-unveils-manifesto-with-focus-on-coronavirus-defence-420125">Japan's ruling party unveils manifesto with focus on coronavirus, defence</a>

"It's crucial that we re-start nuclear power plants," Kishida said as he faced opposition questions in parliament for the first time since becoming prime minister last week.

Kishida was responding to questions from Yukio Edano, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), on the government's policy for sustainable energy and if nuclear power would be part of the plan.

Nuclear energy has been contentious in Japan, especially since a 2011 earthquake off the coast triggered a tsunami that smashed into a nuclear power plant in the Fukushima region north of Tokyo, causing one of the world's worst nuclear accidents.

All of Japan's nuclear power plants were shut down after the disaster, which highlighted failings in regulation and oversight. While some reactors have been coming back on stream, most remain shut.

Kishida is leading the LDP into a general election on October&nbsp;31 when priorities for many voters will likely be bringing an end to the coronavirus pandemic and rebuilding a weak economy.

Many of Japan's hospitals have struggled during a fifth and most fatal wave of the coronavirus, though infections rates have begun to come down in recent days.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-compile-big-extra-budget-after-polls-says-ldp-heavyweight-417867">Japan to compile big extra budget after polls, says LDP heavyweight</a>

Kishida acknowledged there was room for improvement in health care after criticism from Edano who said: "It is the fault of the LDP that so many people died in their homes."

But Kishida was vague on specifics, saying that he would "order to have the overall structure of our coronavirus policies drawn up soon".

Kishida also had to fend off criticism over an apparent U-turn on an earlier pledge to review taxes on capital gains and dividends as a way to redistribute wealth. read more

He said he would prioritise boosting wages through tax incentives rather than imposing higher levies on capital gains and dividends to address the income gap.

"It's among options to create a virtuous cycle of growth and redistribution," Kishida told parliament, when Edano asked him about his earlier idea to raise capital gains tax.

"But there are other things we should do first such as reforming the tax system to achieve wage increases."

Japan's new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, defended his pro-nuclear energy policies on Wednesday, saying that re-starting nuclear power plants mothballed since the 2011 Fukushima disaster was vital.

Japan's new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, defended his pro-nuclear energy policies on Wednesday, saying that re-starting nuclear power plants mothballed since the 2011 Fukushima disaster was vital. Energy became a key issue during the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) recent leadership race, during which Kishida beat Taro Kono, a former vaccine minister who had spoken out against nuclear energy, to become prime minister. Also Read | Japan's ruling party unveils manifesto with focus on coronavirus, defence "It's crucial that we re-start nuclear power plants," Kishida said as he faced opposition questions in parliament for the first time since becoming prime minister last week. Kishida was responding to questions from Yukio Edano, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), on the government's policy for sustainable energy and if nuclear power would be part of the plan. Nuclear energy has been contentious in Japan, especially since a 2011 earthquake off the coast triggered a tsunami that smashed into a nuclear power plant in the Fukushima region north of Tokyo, causing one of the world's worst nuclear accidents. All of Japan's nuclear power plants were shut down after the disaster, which highlighted failings in regulation and oversight. While some reactors have been coming back on stream, most remain shut. Kishida is leading the LDP into a general election on October 31 when priorities for many voters will likely be bringing an end to the coronavirus pandemic and rebuilding a weak economy. Many of Japan's hospitals have struggled during a fifth and most fatal wave of the coronavirus, though infections rates have begun to come down in recent days. Also Read | Japan to compile big extra budget after polls, says LDP heavyweight Kishida acknowledged there was room for improvement in health care after criticism from Edano who said: "It is the fault of the LDP that so many people died in their homes." But Kishida was vague on specifics, saying that he would "order to have the overall structure of our coronavirus policies drawn up soon". Kishida also had to fend off criticism over an apparent U-turn on an earlier pledge to review taxes on capital gains and dividends as a way to redistribute wealth. read more He said he would prioritise boosting wages through tax incentives rather than imposing higher levies on capital gains and dividends to address the income gap. "It's among options to create a virtuous cycle of growth and redistribution," Kishida told parliament, when Edano asked him about his earlier idea to raise capital gains tax. "But there are other things we should do first such as reforming the tax system to achieve wage increases."

Japan's new PM defends pro-nuclear stance in parliamentary debut

Sri Lanka's election commission has held a mock poll in the southern Galle district to test the COVID-19 health guidelines and its preparedness for the parliamentary polls likely to be held between late July and mid August.

The parliamentary polls were initially to be held on April 25, but had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which prompted the authorities to announce a nationwide lockdown from March 20.

Later, the election commission shifted the date to June 20. It was again deemed not suitable in view of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed 11 lives and infected over 1,900 people in the island nation. A majority of the patients have been cured and discharged from hospitals.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/colombo-embraces-new-normal-as-people-attend-drive-in-open-air-concert-303774">Have a look:&nbsp;Colombo embraces new normal as people attend drive-in open-air concert</a>

Some 200 voters from the Ambalangoda polling division in Galle district were chosen to 'vote' at the mock poll, according to an official.

"We wanted to learn from the exercise so that the lessons can be applied at the real election when it happens," senior election commission official Saman C Ratnayake told reporters at the Buddhist temple hall which was used for the mock poll.

The selected voters were given instructions at their homes on Saturday and were asked to bring along a pen to mark the vote while wearing a face mask.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-to-reopen-for-tourism-in-august-with-multiple-coronavirus-tests-303850">Also read:&nbsp;Sri Lanka to reopen for tourism in August, with multiple coronavirus tests</a>

The election commission said they had formulated guidelines to conduct the polls in close cooperation with the health authorities.

Election chief Mahinda Deshapriya said the guidelines were revolving around social distancing, washing hands and wearing face masks.

At the mock poll, attention was given to the time it takes to cast a vote while sticking to the health guidelines. 
The poll date to elect a 225-member parliament is yet to be announced. According to officials, it is likely to be held anytime between late July and mid August.

The opposition parties and civil society groups have challenged the holding of the election in the midst of health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 16 million voters are eligible to vote to elect 196 members under proportional representation and a further 29 members on national cumulative votes of each party based on proportional representation.

Sri Lanka's election commission has held a mock poll in the southern Galle district to test the COVID-19 health guidelines and its preparedness for the parliamentary polls likely to be held between late July and mid August.

Sri Lanka's election commission has held a mock poll in the southern Galle district to test the COVID-19 health guidelines and its preparedness for the parliamentary polls likely to be held between late July and mid August. The parliamentary polls were initially to be held on April 25, but had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which prompted the authorities to announce a nationwide lockdown from March 20. Later, the election commission shifted the date to June 20. It was again deemed not suitable in view of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed 11 lives and infected over 1,900 people in the island nation. A majority of the patients have been cured and discharged from hospitals. Have a look: Colombo embraces new normal as people attend drive-in open-air concert Some 200 voters from the Ambalangoda polling division in Galle district were chosen to 'vote' at the mock poll, according to an official. "We wanted to learn from the exercise so that the lessons can be applied at the real election when it happens," senior election commission official Saman C Ratnayake told reporters at the Buddhist temple hall which was used for the mock poll. The selected voters were given instructions at their homes on Saturday and were asked to bring along a pen to mark the vote while wearing a face mask. Also read: Sri Lanka to reopen for tourism in August, with multiple coronavirus tests The election commission said they had formulated guidelines to conduct the polls in close cooperation with the health authorities. Election chief Mahinda Deshapriya said the guidelines were revolving around social distancing, washing hands and wearing face masks. At the mock poll, attention was given to the time it takes to cast a vote while sticking to the health guidelines. The poll date to elect a 225-member parliament is yet to be announced. According to officials, it is likely to be held anytime between late July and mid August. The opposition parties and civil society groups have challenged the holding of the election in the midst of health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 16 million voters are eligible to vote to elect 196 members under proportional representation and a further 29 members on national cumulative votes of each party based on proportional representation.

Sri Lanka holds mock poll to test COVID-19 guidelines for parliamentary election

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