* Public hearings could affect nuclear policy decision
* Fukushima prosecutors launch probe after residents
complaints
* Reactor restarts galvanise anti-nuclear movement
(Adds Prosecutors launch two probes against Tepco execs,
officials)
FUKUSHIMA, Japan, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Get out of nuclear power
and do it fast, angry Fukushima residents told Japanese
government officials on Wednesday at a public hearing on energy
policy held in an area ravaged by a nuclear disaster that has
whipped up opposition to atomic power.
The Fukushima hearing, the ninth out of 11 planned
n ationwide, sought to gather views on n uclear power's role in
the nation's energy mix as the government struggles to cover a
power shortfall by that could threaten economic growth.
Meltdowns at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima
nuclear plant after an earthquake and tsunami on March 11 last
year caused radiation to spew over large areas of Fukushima,
forcing more than 160,0000 people to flee. In the following
months, all of Japan's nuclear plants were shut for safety
checks. Two reactors resumed operations last month.
"I want all the reactors in Japan shut immediately and
scrapped," a grey-haired woman, who introduced herself as a
farmer living 65 km (40 miles) from the Fukushima plant, said at
the public hearing in the prefecture capital.
"Many people are now aware that the government's talking of
'no immediate risk to health' is tantamount to 'long-term health
risk'," she said to the applause of about 200 residents packed
in a small concert hall.
Goshi Hosono, minister in charge of the response to the
nuclear crisis, was heckled as he apologised for the suffering
of people in Fukushima.
"I will never forget what I heard today, and I'm determined
to do everything I can," he said.
Fukushima prosecutors on Wednesday launched an investigation
after more than 1,000 residents filed criminal complaints
against 15 former and present Tokyo Electric Power officials,
including former company president Masataka Shimizu, and 18
government officials, including Nuclear Safety Commission head
Haruki Madarame, a lawyer for the group, Hiroyuki Kawai, told
Reuters.
Kawai said Tokyo prosecutors had launched a separate
investigation.
A panel of experts appointed by parliament concluded last
month that the disaster could have been prevented and that
failure to take precautions was the result of "collusion" among
the utility, regulators and the government.
"After reading the report by the parliament-appointed panel,
prosecutors could not stand idly by," Kawai said.
THREE OPTIONS
Japan met about a third of its energy needs with nuclear
power before the disaster and had plans to boost that share to
more than half, in part, to combat global warming.
Now, three options that the government has put on the table
are to phase out nuclear power completely as soon as possible,
aim for a 15 percent share of the power supply by 2030, or a
20-25 percent share by the same date.
Residents of Fukushima, 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo,
overwhelmingly backed the zero option, with all but one of the
30 who were picked in a draw to speak backing a swift exit.
The Asahi newspaper reported this week that elsewhere 70
percent of those taking part in the hearings opted for the
nuclear-free scenario. It is not clear how the hearings will
affect the final energy plan that could come as soon as this
month.
But commentators said it would be hard for the government to
ignore the findings as 17 months after the world's worst nuclear
accident since Chernobyl, many still live in fear and thousands
hired to dismantle the Fukushima plant face decades of gruelling
and dangerous work.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's decision to restart two
reactors in Japan's western manufacturing hub to avoid blackouts
galvanized the anti-nuclear movement.
More than 100,000 people attended an anti-nuclear rally last
month and protests staged weekly outside of Noda's residence
have grown, with ordinary workers and mothers with children
joining the crowds.
"I'm scared. I'm really scared," said a middle-aged woman,
addressing the hearing.
"I'd like the government to think about why people have
gathered in front of the prime minister's residence every Friday
since April. That's not fashion. That's not a temporary fever.
That's a heartfelt scream from the public."
(Additional reporting by Linda Sieg in Tokyo; Writing by Tomasz
Janowski; Editing by Ed Lane)
