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Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan has called for his country to develop into a nuclear-free society, amid rising public anger at the continuing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
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| Protesters have targeted Naoto Kan for criticism on the nuclear issue |
In a televised news conference, Mr Kan said his government would try to phase out nuclear energy in stages.
The 11 March earthquake and tsunami wrecked the Fukushima plant, which continues to leak radioactive material.
A large section of public opinion has turned against nuclear power.
About 30% of Japan's electricity was nuclear generated before the Fukushima crisis, and the country had targeted raising that figure to 53% by 2030.
But Mr Kan had already said this commitment should be scrapped.
On Wednesday, he went a step further, saying: "We will aim at realising a society which can exist without nuclear power."
The prime minister, who has been under immense pressure to resign, has slumped to his lowest level of popularity since he took office just over a year ago.
According to the latest opinion polls, just 16% of the population believe he is doing a good job.
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