Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the 11th meeting of the Energy and Environment Council at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the options regarding energy and environment.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "Following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, and the accident of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the Energy and Environment Council decided the policy to reduce dependency on nuclear power as much as possible. Although this is regarded as a general policy, active discussion is now taking place on specific issues such as how long should it take, how far the dependency should be reduced, and what kind of energy should be pursued as a replacement for nuclear power generation.
Today, we decided to present three options to the people.
Whichever option is selected, it will be necessary to change the energy structure and make it the basis for Japan in the future by bringing the potential for growth from it. The selection of energy we are currently making will have a decisive influence on the affluence of future generations. The rest of the world is also paying attention to this decision. I expect people's participation in the discussion on this issue.
Based on such discussion, by August, the government will clarify the roadmap for Japan's future energy. I would like to ask the relevant ministers to listen to the voices of the people and to further cooperate in formulating an energy and environment strategy that we can be proud to leave to future generations and to the world."