Speech to be made at the World Congress of IPPNW on 25 August, 2012

A plea for a total ban on the use of nuclear energy
―― The lessons of Fukushima

Mitsuhei Murata
Former Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland

The most crucial issue menacing human security is without doubt the real increasing threat emanating from the use of nuclear power, be it civil or military.
Albert Einstein wrote in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1946, “The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking, and thus we drift towards unparalleled catastrophe.”
In 1956 ,I wrote in a prized essay that the world was “on the verge of total destruction”. The nuclear war was then menacing mankind.
Today, the consequences of Fukushima nuclear accident are likewise menacing the world with the possibility of bringing about the ultimate catastrophe, as is shown by the unit 4 of Fukushima Daiichi , containing 10 times more cesium 137 than Chernobyl.

The Japanese are being cruelly obliged to realize that nuclear energy generates calamities human society cannot accept. Japan, having experienced all atrocities of nuclear power, has the historic role of contributing to the realization of denuclearization, be it civil or military.

However, nuclear reactors continue to be promoted, at home and abroad, as if the Fukushima accident had not taken place. “Abandoning Fukushima” should never be allowed. From the standpoint of unfortunate victims, including more than one hundred and seventy thousand refugees who are unbearably suffering, I wish to make a plea for true denuclearization, unmasking the awesome risks of nuclear power. 

The world has learned for good that any conduct permitting radioactive contamination creates incalculable and permanent harm to mankind and the earth.

1. It can now be asserted that nuclear accidents are no less dreadful than atomic bombs in the final end, capable of causing human and material damages beyond imagination. Nuclear reactors are potentially “ super nuclear bombs”. Suffice it to say that no atomic weapon can compete with the Unit 4.

2. The Fukushima accident has actually proven that, in the worst case, it could have developed into the ultimate catastrophe, not only for Japan but for the whole world. The crisis of the Unit 4 shows that this possibility cannot be excluded even today, for an earthquake of intensity 7 is certain to bring about the collapse of it. The awareness of this real danger should urgently be disseminated all over the world.

3. Sound judgment would not have allowed the construction of 54 nuclear reactors in Japan, menaced by so frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. What made it possible is the disclosed lack of ethics and responsibility.
By dint of money, the seeds of catastrophe have been disseminated.
It has been established that corruption is inherent to the management of nuclear power plants.
This is not limited to Japan.

4. This lack of ethics and responsibility is symbolized by the treatment of radioactive nuclear waste that has found no solution. It infringes upon the human rights of future generations. In this connection, we must recall the declaration of UNESCO of 1997, stating that the present generation has the responsibility to leave behind us the beautiful planet.
 The “nuclear village” or “nuclear dictatorship” that persists in Japan envisages to export and restart nuclear reactors, proving that it is again on the offensive. This is extremely immoral. It reflects the lack of the sense of guilt as a country unable to stop damaging the world by radioactive contamination. It will last, alas, for unlimited length of time. 

5. Japan should send out a warning that another accident will happen if the world does not start heading toward denuclearization, learning the lessons of Fukushima. Eight years ago, I issued a warning that the fate of Japan would be decided by electric companies. Two years ago in Basel, on the occasion of the World Congress of IPPNW, I said, after referring to Providence as philosophy,“ In this line of thinking, we cannot but be preoccupied by the eventuality of a nuclear calamity. Human wisdom must be mobilized to prevent such ultimate catastrophe from taking place”.
I cannot regret too much these warnings could not prevent what I had feared from taking place.

6. In view of the worldwide consequences of a nuclear accident, the countries not possessing nuclear reactors are recommended to send out messages asking for denuclearization. Such countries as Germany, Switzerland and Italy that have opted for it are also recommended to issue messages of persuasion in order to contribute to the realization of true denuclearization, be it civil or military. 

7. Japan is originally a country of maternal culture whose characteristics are harmony and solidarity. After the Meiji Restoration, Japan introduced
paternal culture ,whose characteristics are competition and confrontation,in the form of militarism. It is proven by history that paternal culture  generates  catastrophe in the final end. The Fukushima accident results from another form of paternal culture, namely, the supremacy of economy, introduced after the last war. Maternal culture is the only remedy. This is why it should be stressed that the lesson of Fukushima requires the shift from “priority to economy” to “priority to life”. This concretely means the transition from the present paternal civilization of power to a maternal civilization of harmony. The Fukushima accident has given rise to this paradigm shift.

8.  It is now confirmed that a nuclear accident causing disasters with limitless consequences cannot be endured by human society. The Fukushima accident has reminded humanity of the forgotten great principle that the possibility of giving rise to such calamity should be made completely zero. Accordingly, we should not use any scientific technology susceptible of causing such disaster. It is this principle that requires “the world without nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors”. The above-mentioned transition to a maternal civilization is the prerequisite to achieving this vision.

9. The crisis mankind faces today is that of civilization. It is generally agreed that the true cause of it is the lack of ethics. It is against fundamental ethics to abuse and exhaust natural resources that belong to future generations and leave behind permanently poisonous waste and enormous financial debts.  The establishment of global ethics is the prerequisite to the creation of a maternal civilization. It can be defined as a civilization based on ethics and solidarity, respecting the environment and the interests of future generations. It requires three transitions: from selfishness to solidarity, from greed to contentment and from materialism to spiritualism. There is no doubt that natural and renewable energies could amply satisfy the needs of energies for such a civilization, except for a transitional period to be supplemented by fossil fuel.

10. This is why the proposal for holding a UN Ethics Summit is increasingly drawing attention on a global scale. The establishment of global ethics, the creation of a maternal civilization and true denuclearization constitutes  the relationship of trinity.
President Obama’s vision of the “World without Nuclear Weapons” needs to be heightened to the “World without Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Reactors”. The first concrete step toward this goal is the UN Ethics Summit.
It is strongly hoped that President Obama, in response to the expectations of a concrete step toward his vision, takes the initiative to realize this Summit during the coming UN General Assembly to be held next September. Secretary –General Ban Ki-moon wrote me last January that he would gladly support it if member-states submit it to the General Assembly. Its aim is the creation of an International Day of Global Ethics that will make it possible to promote and foster awareness of the importance of global ethics every year. The controversy over the content is to be carefully avoided.
Japan Society for Global System and Ethics of which I am Executive Director is proposing to choose March 11 as its date.

(Conclusion)

The critical situation at the Fukushima Daiichi requires the mobilization of human wisdom on the widest possible scale. The pressing need for setting up a neutral assessment team as well as an international technical cooperation team is evident.

The fuel rods in the decaying cooling pool of the Unit 4 must be moved to another place as soon as possible.　I t is a global security issue that requires the maximum efforts which regrettably are not being made.

The Fukushima accident is changing Japan and the world.
Many Japanese citizens are now powerfully expressing their opposition by participating in demonstrations against restarting nuclear reactors without fully guaranteeing security. More and more Japanese people are being awakened to the real dangers of nuclear reactors.
 I am convinced that there will be no more restarting in Japan. The two Ohi reactors could sooner or later be obliged by the public opinion to cease their operations.Japan is thus steadily heading toward establishing the policy of no dependence on nuclear energy. A Legislative Council of Citizens is to be set up with the aim of establishing a new law of ceasing dependence
on nuclear energy, abolishing the present basic nuclear law. I am among the board members of the Council..

“The will of heavens and the earth” is my translation for “Providence as philosophy” that protects mankind and the earth. It will help achieving true denuclearization, civil and military, in due course.
The rage of those who lost everything by the accident will continue to enliven anti-nuclear movement in Japan and eventually abroard. 
Japan has now the duty to contribute to the realization of true denuclearization. If Japan accomplishes this duty, the victims of the Fukushima accident would not have suffered in vain.



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