December 28.2014


The Present Situation of Fukushima
Mitsuhei Murata


The Japanese government is now vigorously promoting the restart of nuclear reactors shut down after the Fukushima disaster. It controls the media effectively.　The recent nuclear accidents in Ukraine (Zaporizhia) and Belgium (Tihange) were completely ignored in the Japanese media, as was the menace of an attack against the Chernobyl nuclear plant.
In Belgium, there was an accident attributed to sabotage last August. On  August 8th of last year, a number of rockets were fired at a nuclear plant in Israel (Reuter). These facts are sufficient to support the assertion that the mere existence of more than 440 nuclear reactors in the world constitutes a serious global security problem. Nuclear reactors are no less dangerous than nuclear weapons.

According to the Asahi News Paper of December 25, the Japanese Nuclear Regulatory Authority envisages the release of treated contaminated water (241,000 tons out of 590,000 tons) into the sea. The treatment of the contaminated water through Multi-nuclide Removal Equipment (ALPS) cannot remove tritium. The International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) is advising the release into the sea if the tritium is removed to a level less than the concentration limit set in the public notice.
Civil society is naturally opposed to this move in view of the extremely dangerous consequences tritium could bring about. In the joint petition against ITER（International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ）issued by Dr. Masatoshi Koshiba, Nobel Prize Laureate, and Prof. Akira Hasegawa, Maxwell Prize Laureate, we notice that ITER containing two kilograms of tritium could kill up to two million people. What matters is not the level of concentration, but the total volume. The consequences of the radioactive contamination of the Pacific Ocean from Japan to the West Coast of the United States is drawing increased attention. The sheer volume of radioactive materials flowing daily into the sea makes one feel the crisis of our global environment.

The removal of fuel rods including damaged ones from Unit 4 at Fukushima has been completed. Progress has been made. We are now reminded, however, that we are confronted with much more serious problems. Units 1, 2 and 3 remain inaccessible because of lethal levels of radiation surrounding the buildings. Their containment vessels need a constant flow of nitrogen to maintain low levels of oxygen in order to prevent hydrogen explosions.

The whereabouts of the melted fuel rods remain unknown. We face a situation humanity has never before experienced. Human knowledge, skill, expertise, and wisdom must be mobilized on the widest possible scale. Probing the ground beneath the site is urgently needed. Although an expert working at the site recommends the use of technology used in the development of shale oil for this purpose, as of yet it has not been utilized. The urgent need for international cooperation in this crisis is undeniable.

As Executive Director of the Japan Society for a Global System of Ethics, I was present on December 20, 2014 when Associate Lecturer Hiroaki Koide of Kyoto University made an outstanding lecture. He is one of the most respected nuclear experts in the world, particularly after having stuck to his anti-nuclear position following the Fukushima disaster, sacrificing a promotion in the process. After the lecture, I spoke to him about his view on the Tokyo　Olympic　Games.　

He　pointed out　that　there　exists in Japan an atmosphere that　considers it　unpatriotic　to　pose　this question, but he readily accepts this risk. He then answered that considering the huge problem of procuring workers for the Fukushima site and the ordeal that such workers are going through under terribly difficult conditions, the holding of Olympic Games in Tokyo should be considered definitely out of question. The audience was deeply impressed by Mr. Koide’s lecture. I am widely disseminating it, including to top decision makers.

The problem of workers on the site is very serious. Last November, the average number of daily workers was 6,600. This requires numerically more than 2.4 million workers a year. Decommissioning of the reactors on the site will take decades. It makes one shudder. The lack of the sense of crisis over Fukushima is in stark contrast to the gravity of the crisis.

I have the feeling that in Japan there now exists a taboo against questioning the security of the Tokyo Olympic Games. The Tokyo Olympic Games seems to be being utilized to divert attention from Fukushima and to give out the impression to the world that Fukushima no longer poses a threat. Shrewd observers point out that there is ‘the front and the back’ relationship between Tokyo Olympic Games and nuclear reactors. The two are interrelated. The setback of the one will mean that of the other. This is why I am pinning hopes on the move of the IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) to approach the IOC.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods are increasing in number. Under such circumstances, it is absolutely reckless to promote nuclear reactors. However, the state specific secrets protection law that took effect on December 10 of last year inclines the media toward self-imposed censorship regarding nuclear issues.

Fukushima is now undeniably a global security issue. It is a crisis for Japan as a nation. It is a crisis of the global environment for the international community. It is surprisingly being treated as a crisis for the management of our electric utilities. Much is expected of the role the international community could play in this regard.

I have received a communique from the UN confirming my participation in the coming Sendai Conference of next March. I am to make a speech on ‘Nuclear Disasters and Global Ethics’ on March 16.

I hope that UN will play a central role in coping with Fukushima.



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