TOKYO -- Nuclear energy will cover 20-22% of Japan's energy needs by 2030 under a government proposal finalized on Monday.

A panel from the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy, a body affiliated with Japan's industry ministry, agreed to endorse the proposal, despite earlier opposition from some members over what they saw as an excessive reliance on nuclear energy.

The proposal, which calls for boosting the ratio of nuclear energy from the 1% in 2013, is based on the assumption that Japan will extend the operational lifespan of its nuclear reactors.

Japan is preparing to launch a new energy policy aimed at curbing costs and encouraging the use of environmentally friendly sources of energy. As such, Monday's proposal also calls for having renewable energy sources account for 22-24% of the country's energy mix by 2030.

The panel was unable to reach an agreement on the proposed energy mix at its previous meeting, on May 26. Some panel members issued a statement saying, "We can't say for sure that this will reduce (Japan's use of nuclear energy) as much as possible."

The final proposal includes a newly added statement that the government will take full responsibility for restarting the now-idled reactors.

It also states that the government will review the country's energy mix every three years, indicating that the ratios may change at some point in the future.

The government will seek public comment on the proposal and officially finalize its decision in July.

(Nikkei)