[앵커]
Japan has decided to expel eight people, including a Russian diplomat, in protest against the massacre of Ukrainian civilians.
Prime Minister Kishida said that he would reduce coal imports in line with the United States and Europe, but emphasized that finding alternatives is the priority.
Correspondent Lee Kyung-ah from Tokyo reports.
[기자]
The Japanese government has been talking about expelling diplomats from Russia.
This is in line with the measures taken by the United States and Europe after allegations of civilian massacres surfaced everywhere.
[기시다 후미오 / 일본 총리 : 주일 러시아 외교관과 통상대표부 직원 등 8명에 대해 국외 퇴거를 요구했습니다. 종합적으로 판단한 조치입니다.]
Seven major countries and the G7 members agreed to join the restrictions on imports of Russian coal.
Prime Minister Kishida has announced that he will reduce dependence on Russian energy and ultimately ban coal imports.
However, it has been made clear that finding alternatives is a priority.
[기시다 후미오 / 일본 총리 : 여러 분야의 상황을 확실히 파악한 뒤 대체 방안 확인 등을 확실히 해 적절한 시기를 생각하지 않으면 안됩니다. 일률적으로 이 정도 기간이라고 말하는 것은 삼가겠습니다.]
Japan relies on coal and natural gas for about 80% of its electricity generation.
It is difficult to reduce coal imports right away because the position is different from Europe, where the proportion of renewable energy is high.
[하기우다 코이치 / 일본 경제산업성 장관 : 에너지 분야는 각국의 사정이 다르기 때문에 fade-out을 목표로 단계적으로 줄여갈 것입니다. 가능한 산업계에 폐를 끼치지 않는 방향으로 제재에 협력할 것입니다.]
In Japan, some thermal power plants were shut down in the aftermath of the earthquake last month, leading to a massive power outage.
Japan is closely watching how long the energy crisis from Ukraine will last.
This is Kyungah Lee from YTN in Tokyo.
YTN Kyungah Lee ([email protected])
※ ‘Your report becomes news’
[카카오톡] Search YTN to add a channel
[전화] 02-398-8585
[메일] [email protected]
[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]