According to Japanese cabinet officials, the government abandoned its projection of making the most of nuclear energy after protests by the ministers of the Environment and Administrative Reform, Taro Kono and Shinjiro Koizumi, respectively, who defend renewable energies.

The draft is being compiled as Tokyo seeks to take a leadership role in the fight against global warming.

Many nuclear plants in Japan remain out of operation under strict safety regulations implemented after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami.

However, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry still advocates an ongoing commitment to nuclear energy.

jg/llp/jcm/nvo/cvl