This essay argues that national happiness begins with economic revival. It criticizes premature anti-nuclear policies driven by rhetoric rather than technology, and stresses that sound energy policy and economic resurgence must come first.

In order to achieve the happiness of the people, first and foremost there must be economic prosperity and revival.
2016-08-27
The following is an essay published on August 31, 2012.
To take the nation’s core energy policy and speak of so-called renewable energy where only words run ahead.
Simply because one has engaged in dialogue with anti-nuclear demonstrations, to rely on technologies that are still neither fish nor fowl, merely in the stage of development.
And with the overall costs still opaque, what government anywhere in the world would declare “a nuclear phase-out by 2030.”
Time and again I say this, but how can a nation that is, in substance even now, the world’s second-largest super economic power.
Fail to state this clearly to its people.
…the market proves this, does it not.
Through capital flows such as a strong yen and purchases of Japanese government bonds, as a flight to safety, to quality.
In order to achieve the happiness of the people, first and foremost there must be economic prosperity and revival.
As for nuclear power, with every ounce of the world’s highest intelligence and technological expertise.
…it goes without saying that past mistakes must be reflected upon.
The best possible condition, the maximum possible safety, Fukushima must never happen again.
The prime minister of that time becoming prime minister again is something that would never happen even if one stood on one’s head.
Consider it statistically as well.
And so it ended, like the punch line of a rakugo story.