In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear plant crisis and three days after a top official announced Japan's commitment to atomic power for its energy policy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government will rethink its plan to increase reliance on nuclear power.

Currently, Japan has 54 nuclear reactors responsible for 30% of Japan's electrical supply.

Kan described nuclear power, along with fossil fuels, as a "major pillar" of Japanese society.

"Under the basic plan for energy in 2030, the proportion of nuclear energy and total electricity supply would be 50% for nuclear energy and 20% renewable energy," Kan said.

Alternative sources of energy like biomass, wind and solar "should be regarded as one of the major pillars" in a new plan, Kan said.

According to Kan the latest nuclear disaster that hit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, compelled the government to review the basic plan for energy "from scratch."

In April almost 80,000 residents living within a 20km (12 mile) radius of the plant have been evacuated from their homes for fear of the spread of radiation contamination from the damaged nuclear reactors.

"Better safety must be ensured in nuclear power while renewables need to be promoted," Kan said.

Earlier, Kan also ordered to halt operations of three nuclear reactors in the Hamaoka power plant located in central Japan pending the review of its safety. Hamaoka power plant is located in Shizuoka prefecture where Japanese authorities have been on the lookout for a possible major earthquake to hit.

Kan said the new energy policy will turn Japan into an "energy-saving society" with greater focus placed in conserving energy.