Japan mulls future without nuke power

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The future of Japan without nuclear energy as a source of electrical power is something Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda wants his Cabinet members to consider.

Noda's made the statement Monday in Hiroshima, the first city in the world to experience the deadly power of nuclear energy, the Kyodo news agency reported.

It was the first time he has mentioned the possibility of ridding the country of all nuclear power plants.

Tens of thousands of Japanese have protested the use of nuclear energy in recent weeks. Anti-nuclear activists protested outside Noda's office Friday.