Ex-U.S. nuke regulator chief urges world to end atomic power dependency

Former United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission chief has said the world needs to rethink on nuclear safety and end its dependence on atomic power following the Fukushima crisis.

Gregory Jaczko said because Japan is extremely prone to earthquakes, tsunami, and other disasters, using nuclear power poses serious risks unless some kind of new technology is created to completely eliminate the possibility of severe accidents, the Japan Times reports.

However, Jaczko also said that creating such zero-risk technology is next to impossible.

Jaczko hoped that Japan uses its resources and energy to come up with ways to function without atomic power.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) is now examining requests from utilities to restart reactors.

Jaczko also stressed the importance of getting the public actively involved in the process.