Japan's new Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, let a panel of experts begin debate on the country's energy policy on Monday. Noda has already signaled that nuclear power could play a role for decades, even though the Fukishima power plant is still leaking radiation six months after a devastating earthquake and tsunami. "It's been a real bad year for the 'nuclear village' but I don't think they are down and out," said Jeffrey Kingston of Temple University, Japan Campus, referring to the utilities, lawmakers and regulators who have long promoted atomic power as safe, clean and cheap.