Two-thirds of local governments in Japan oppose new nuclear power plants, while about half expressed interest in large solar power stations after the nation's worst atomic accident, DPA reported.
A survey conducted by the Kyodo News agency also showed 27 per cent of the municipal leaders said they also seek the early abolition of existing nuclear plants.
The survey said 17 per cent would allow new nuclear plants and reactors with sufficient, confirmed safety measures.
About 88 per cent of the respondents criticized measures taken by the government to deal with radioactive contamination from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
The plant has spewed radioactive material since it was crippled by a magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
The government said Friday it would spend about 220 billion yen (2.84 billion dollars) to clean up residential areas in Fukushima prefecture contaminated by radiation.
Many local leaders urged the central government to have a more cautious decision-making process on nuclear power operations.
More than half suggested that consent must be secured not only from the municipalities but also from the surrounding communities before building new plants or restarting idled reactors.
Forty-seven per cent expressed interest in inviting large-scale solar power plants to their areas, the survey said.
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