<P> The loss of 30% of the country's generating capacity led to much greater reliance on liquified natural gas and coal . Unusual conservation measures were undertaken . In the immediate aftermath, nine prefectures served by TEPCO experienced power rationing . The government asked major companies to reduce power consumption by 15%, and some shifted their weekends to weekdays to smooth power demand . Converting to a nuclear - free gas and oil energy economy would cost tens of billions of dollars in annual fees . One estimate is that even including the disaster, more lives would have been lost if Japan had used coal or gas plants instead of nuclear . </P> <P> Many political activists have begun calling for a phase - out of nuclear power in Japan, including Amory Lovins, who claimed, "Japan is poor in fuels, but is the richest of all major industrial countries in renewable energy that can meet the entire long - term energy needs of an energy - efficient Japan, at lower cost and risk than current plans . Japanese industry can do it faster than anyone--if Japanese policymakers acknowledge and allow it". Benjamin K. Sovacool asserted that Japan could have exploited instead its renewable energy base . Japan has a total of "324 GW of achievable potential in the form of onshore and offshore wind turbines (222 GW), geothermal power plants (70 GW), additional hydroelectric capacity (26.5 GW), solar energy (4.8 GW) and agricultural residue (1.1 GW)." </P> <P> In contrast, others have said that the zero mortality rate from the Fukushima incident confirms their opinion that nuclear fission is the only viable option available to replace fossil fuels . Journalist George Monbiot wrote "Why Fukushima made me stop worrying and love nuclear power ." In it he said, "As a result of the disaster at Fukushima, I am no longer nuclear - neutral . I now support the technology ." He continued, "A crappy old plant with inadequate safety features was hit by a monster earthquake and a vast tsunami . The electricity supply failed, knocking out the cooling system . The reactors began to explode and melt down . The disaster exposed a familiar legacy of poor design and corner - cutting . Yet, as far as we know, no one has yet received a lethal dose of radiation ." </P> <P> In September 2011, Mycle Schneider said that the disaster can be understood as a unique chance "to get it right" on energy policy . "Germany--with its nuclear phase - out decision based on a renewable energy program--and Japan--having suffered a painful shock but possessing unique technical capacities and societal discipline--can be at the forefront of an authentic paradigm shift toward a truly sustainable, low - carbon and nuclear - free energy policy ." </P>

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