Kurashi - News From Japan

As the year of Heisei 24 is about to end, another Prime Minister goes to Fukushima to watch the damage, meet the people, and try to get to grips with something like an energy policy that will work for Japan. We are all of course watching, not sure what we would do were we in his plastic-bag-covered shoes!? The clean-up at Fukushima after its tsunami-sparked nuclear meltdowns is unlike anything humanity has ever tried, Japan’s prime minister said Saturday during a tour of the plant. “The massive work toward decommissioning is an unprecedented challenge in human history,” the newly-elected Shinzo Abe said. “Success in the decommissioning will lead to the reconstruction of Fukushima and Japan.” Dressed in a protective suit and wearing a face mask, Abe was taken by bus to see two of the damaged reactors. Thanking workers for their efforts at this time of year, when many people are celebrating New Year at home with their families, he said: “Decommissioning work is hard...

The Hamaoka nuclear power plant was the first one I was made aware of, and campaigned against, back when I was working on another project (about food safety and antibiotic resistance) for Japan Offspring Fund. Now I am pleased to hear that there is very little chance of it going back online. The Shizuoka governor seems to share the deep concerns not only about the earthquake fault it is on top of, but also the lack of tsunami protection. Back then, I think it was 2005, we just thought there was enough evidence that that particular plant was unsafe. Of course, after March 11, 2011, we know that massive earthquakes can cause massive damage, much worse than we could imagine, back then. Of course, the damage can be contained, and life goes on. But the Hamaoka nuclear power plant is situated at such a location that if a similar event to the Fukushima disaster were to strike, then Tokyo (and eastern Japan) would basically be cut off from Osaka (and western Japan). The Shinkansen and othe...

This is a country where people take their trains seriously. Special events are held for the many Steam Locomotive (SL) trains that still run, and when a Shinkansen model, the 300 Series, is about to be retired, fans go out of their way to celebrate. The 300 Series was introduced in 1990 and has over 20 years of distinguished service which is worth commemorating - with a lunch box! The bento box costs 1100 Yen (10 Euro or 14 USD or whatever the lousy exchange rate is these days, as the Yen is stronger than ever, does anyone understand why?). Tickets on the Shinkansen however are not cheap and they ought to introduce reduced fares, for example for people who book well in advance. It also makes no sense that only foreign tourists can use the JR Rail Pass to ride these clever trains. What about all the foreigners that live here permanently? A one-way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto is around 13,000 Yen (126 Euro or 170 USD). My first trip to Kyoto was in the winter of 1989, when my brother came t...

Japan is going through amazing changes right now. The controversial proposal to build a new nuclear plant on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, Yamaguchi prefecture, has just been stopped by the governor of the prefecture, Sekinari Nii. NHK notes that Chugoku Electric Power Company was seeking to construct two reactors in the town of Kaminoseki, with a launch scheduled for 2018. The governor says the central government has failed to properly outline Japan's future nuclear power policy and specific measures about nuclear power plant safety. He says the feasibility of the nuclear plant project itself has become vague. NHK World: Yamaguchi Governor suspends nuclear plant project Mainichi has more : In a meeting with reporters following the session, Nii reiterated that the prefectural government will not extend permission under the current circumstances. "Chugoku Electric should continue its suspension of the reclamation work. As long as the current situation continues, we can'...

Hitomi Kamanaka visited Sweden for her latest documentary. Her trilogy of documentaries to date (Hibakusha: At the End of the World, Rokkasho-mura Rhapsody, and From Ashes to Honey) all address these issues from various perspectives. At an event in Tokyo called the Spring Love Harukaze, she gave an impassioned talk whereby she accused TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) and Japanese government officials of deliberately covering up information regarding the accident. From Ten thousand things: Tokyo art and music event mourns disaster victims, raises seriousness of nuclear power and radiation issues “The industry has long been releasing propaganda saying that nuclear power is safe, and now, following the accident, they have continued with the same lies by declaring that the radiation being released is also nothing to worry about,” she said. “People prefer to believe the propaganda because it’s easier, but unless they face reality, they won’t be able to protect themselves. “Here ...