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The second update of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Station accident (June 1 through August 31, 2011) SHIBUTANI Yu
Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, WasedaUniversity, Waseda Bldg. 1-21-1, Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo 169-0051 Tokyo, Japan (shibutaniyu@aol.com)
Abstract: The Fukushima Daiichi accident occurred on March 11, 2011. The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) encountered great deal of difficulties to stabilize the nuclear power reactor. Although the maximum radiation level has decreased, it still accounts for one-fifth of the level detected as of end of August 2011. There are currently growing concerns regarding the complexities of nuclear energy that are faced by the society of Japan. Owing to the occurrence of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the firm belief on absolute safety of Japan’s nuclear power plants has suddenly collapsed. Over the past decades, people tended to trust the government and electric power companies, which assured the safety and ensured about the necessity of nuclear power. However the recent disaster that took place in Fukushima has triggered public anger and distrusts that lead to negative campaigns against nuclear energy, in addition to oppositions against the government and nuclear power companies. The harsh public criticism has forced the government to separate the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) from affiliation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This action was taken since NISA had expressed contradictions with METI, which is the promoting agency for nuclear energy, The nation-wide opinion poll and surveys undertaken by Asahi Shimbun, a leading Japanese daily newspaper, has announced that 74% of respondents supported the policy to phase-out all nuclear power plants with the final goal to completely end the operation of nuclear plants. A mere 14% of the respondents disagree. There are approximately 100,000 or more residents that evacuated from the dangerous Fukushima Daiichi zone and were suffering from immediate threats such as radiation exposure, health problems, sanitary contamination, products shipment ban, business slump, groundless rumors, etc. These conditions have severely weakened their capability to completely recover and return to their normal lives. According to the Japan Center for Economic Research that was quoted by the New York Times, huge sums of compensation claims for TEPCO would account for 11-15 trillion JPY, or US$ 136-186 billion. However it is not yet known how much higher would the cost be incurred in the long term. On August 30, 2011, the cabinet of former Prime Minister (PM) Naoto Kan has resigned en masse. Kan left his post after less than 15 months in power, and he apologized in his statement that his cabinet could not respond satisfactorily to the March 11th disaster and Fukushima nuclear accident. Former Financial Minister of Kan's cabinet, Yoshihiko Noda, was elected as PM in anticipation of continuing nuclear crisis.
Keyword: Fukushima Daiich accident; nuclear policy; stress test; nuclear energy; power saving |
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