‘‘Since the state has been promoting nuclear energy as its policy, it is necessary for the state to ultimately take responsibility.’’-Gemba Koichiro, Minister of National Policy

There is speculation in the Japanese media that the government should take over the corporate run nuclear power plants. This is due to the fact that the Prime Minister has indicated that TEPCo was not honest about the disaster at Fukushima Daiichi, and, that it looks like TEPCo will not be able to pay for damages associated with the nuclear disaster, which means the government will have to pick up the tab anyway. 

Cabinet Secretary, Edano Yukio, down played such talk of nationalizing nuclear power plants; ”not at the moment considering nationalization,” but added that the priority now is to deal with the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi.