Cut nuclear reliance to zero: Japan energy minister

Japan's Trade Minister Yukio Edano speaks during a news conference in Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo April 6, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Kyodo

By Risa Maeda

TOKYO | Fri Apr 6, 2012 7:37am EDT

(Reuters) - Japan should aspire to phase out nuclear power completely, its energy minister said on Friday, even as the government struggles to persuade a wary public that it is safe to restart reactors after the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.