Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan Tuesday said at a news conference that Japan had to start from scratch with its energy plans following the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant, BBC reports.

Kan still described nuclear power as a "major pillar" of Japanese society. But he said other forms of energy would also be key in the future.

"The basic [energy] plan needs to be reviewed now from scratch after this big incident," he said.

"Better safety must be ensured in nuclear power while renewables need to be promoted." He also said greater focus would also be placed on ways of conserving energy, turning Japan into an "energy-saving society."