Yesterday, in Part I of this series, we looked at "nakama" decision-making in Japan during the initial days of the Fukushima crisis. In Part II, the discussion continues with more evidence that the current decision-making system in Japan needs reform.
In the weeks and months since the March 2011 disaster, a plethora of examples have come to light confirming that the danger to Japan's future lies from within. Throughout the peak of the crisis and as a result of the core meltdowns, Japan's Iron Triangle continued to withhold information about the true nature of the massive radiation exposure in to the air and sea and on to the land throughout Japan. In the months following the huge radiation releases, consistent 'underestimations' of both the amount and types of radiation released came to light.
Making matters worse, it was confirmed earlier this year that none of the nuclear task forces in charge of making critical decisions during the crisis bothered to keep either written or verbal records of their meetings, raising questions about true intent. "The nuclear disaster task force failed to keep any records of its meetings, leaving no trace of the crucial debates and decisions -- including the scope of evacuation orders -- that occurred following the accident. This latest blunder prompted the Asahi Shimbun to denounce on January 26 a "monumental level of ineptitude" and "deliberate negligence" on the part of NISA, ministry bureaucrats and the political leadership." Strategic decision or unfortunate oversight?
It is clear that lax oversight resulting from nakama relations set the stage for the Fukushima disaster. "Friendly relations between regulators and the (nuclear) industry often resulted in rubber-stamping of the minimum safety steps proposed by operators, and safety inspections are based on techniques from 30 years ago".
In another recent example of doing what is best for nakama connections (and not for the people of Japan), Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara decided to accept radioactive debris for incineration in Tokyo, a municipality encompassing suburbs totaling 32 million people. This strategic decision did not take in to account the wishes of the people of Tokyo who were never asked (via referendum) whether they wanted to accept the debris. Instead, Ishihara and his nakama circle of friends gave the green light for radioactive debris from Miyagi Prefecture to be burned in Tokyo's sewage waste disposal system. Not only does the burning of debris re-release radionuclides in to the air in Tokyo, it produces ash that is subsequently being dumped in to Tokyo Bay. Why in Tokyo Bay? Because this is not a legal violation of the "Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter" to which Japan is a member. It seems Tokyo Bay is not part of the ocean.
When the system that governs a populace has limited checks and balances, it is easy to not be transparent. Yet the price that has been paid as a result of not being forthright has deeply damaged the bond of trust between the Iron Triangle and the people of Japan. This is reflected not only in political polls, but also in how people have had to alter the way they live their lives as a consequence of decisions made.
As the aforementioned occurs, an appeal to one's patriotism is becoming ever-present. In what seems to be a mix of nationalism and desperation, government officials are publicly stating that the nation must "assist" the Tohoku region affected by the earthquake, tsunami and radioactive releases. "Assist" is a sugar-coated word for several things: spending trillions of yen to rebuild the region (much of which will line the pockets of the nakama members), raising the consumption tax to perhaps 15% (from the current 5%) to pay for it, increasing electricity rates to pay for Tokyo Electric Power's ultimate nationalization and lawsuits, and saving the agricultural industry by agreeing to eat products from the region in a sign that "we are all in this together." Children are fed foods that are untested for radionuclides and/or their parents are chastised for not agreeing to do so.
"Being a good Japanese" is akin to doing what you are told.
Yet there are signs that the people of Japan are not buying this line of thinking blindly. In February 2012, the Governor of Saitama Prefecture boldly stood up to authorities and demanded to know why not a single official involved with the Fukushima plant disaster has been arrested or prosecuted. This is an excellent question.
Given that faith in leadership has now been lost, an equally good question becomes one of how to restore it. For re-establishing trust in Japan is crucial to its future -- not only for Japanese but also for those who will fill the gap from its impending population plunge. Japan's population is estimated to decline by roughly one million people a year so that by 2110, the population will be two-thirds lower than it is presently today. To hope that Japanese couples will suddenly decide to increase family size given space and wage limitations is wishful thinking. Looking overseas to lure more non-Japanese is possible, but reducing perceived deception will be a prerequisite to being successful.
Whether that means turning the current power structure upside down is certainly up to the people of Japan to decide. There is already talk of allowing the public to elect Prime Minister. What is certain is that continuing to permit unelected officials to be in charge of critical decision-making in times of crisis clearly is not the answer. However, "removing the monolithic grip of bureaucratic power and reinstating the force of the people's democratic will would be the first best step." What is most needed for Japan to get out of its current intellectual slump and to restore vitality are government and corporate sectors that espouse transparency and accountability consistently and over time.
K.T. Hiraoka is a pseudonym for the writer whose name was changed to allow for honest and open expression in order to better decipher the puzzle surrounding decision-making related to the Fukushima disaster.
Thank you for your comments regarding nuclear power plants.
I believe that nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons pose a great threat to our environment and security. I am concerned about the management of radioactive waste, proliferation of nuclear weapons, vulnerability of nuclear power plants to terrorist attacks, and effectiveness of nuclear power plant regulations. I believe that funding is better spent on clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies than on the design and construction of nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants have very high startup costs and rely heavily on federal subsidies. In addition, our nation's nuclear power plants, which generate a fifth of our electricity, produce about 2,000 metric tons of highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel in a year that must be properly stored for thousands of years.
I will continue to advocate for a comprehensive energy plan that addresses our national, economic, and environmental security needs and makes use of renewable energy, such as hydrogen, solar, wind, ocean waves, and biomass. Mahalo again for contacting me.
Aloha pumehana,
DANIEL K. AKAKA
U.S. Senator
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/fukushima-nuclear-plant-devils-chain-reaction_n_1306061.html
ALERT TEPCO FUKUSHIMA 2012 02 28
http://www.youtube.com/user/nuckelchenblogde?ob=0&feature=results_main#p/u/0/94jcjN5uK5M
MSM switches to lots of stories of "that was really bad, sure glad its over" when the son-a gun looks like continued reactions are getting worse.
Bad Orwellian rad-speak nightmare.
The heavily damaged upper framework of the buildings housing the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant were photographed from a Yomiuri Shimbun jet Sunday [...]
Once the aircraft turned to view the No. 2 reactor building from the coast, a big opening in the wall was visible despite the fact that the building had not exploded [...]
Walls of some other structures located on the sea coast were also blown away. [...]
The sight of the plant from the air has seared into our memory the cruel accident, which destroyed the livelihoods of more than 110,000 local residents.
http://enenews.com/yomiuri-jet-flyover-walls-of-other-structures-at-fukushima-plant-were-also-blown-away
http://nukeproffesional.blogspot.com/p/renewable-and-energy-efficiency.html
nukeproffesional.blogspot.com/p/preppersurvival-resources.html
Kyodo
FUKUSHIMA — The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has found Tepco liable for 10 faults at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant following a 19-day inspection of the facility.
At a news conference held Friday in the city of Fukushima to announce the conclusion of the inspection — the first since the plant was crippled by meltdowns and explosions triggered by last March's twin disasters — NISA officials said the faults involved safety preparedness and monitoring at the power station.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120226a7.html
Kyodo
SENDAI — Seventeen of the 45 major hospitals in coastal areas pummeled by the triple calamity last March are still unable to offer full medical services because of staffing shortages, a survey indicated Sunday.
Of the 17 hospitals in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, four in Fukushima remain closed and are unlikely to reopen anytime soon, the Kyodo New survey said. Some of the hospitals have run into financial difficulties because they have lost some of their medical staff and patients.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120227a3.html
Kyodo
Just days before the Great East Japan Earthquake, a government panel softened the wording of a report warning that a massive tsunami could strike northeastern Japan after three utilities with nuclear power plants begged it to do so, it has been learned.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120227a2.html
The law on compensation for damage from nuclear power generation obliges an electric power company to pay full indemnities to those who suffer from an accident at a nuclear power plant.
In the fiasco at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, however, it has become indisputably clear that the costs for repairing the plant, paying damages to the victims and ultimately decommissioning the reactors far exceed what Tepco alone can afford to bear.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20120227ts.html
It probably means the cost of moving and a quick medical check up.
If twenty percent of the people in Japan will increase their chance of getting cancer by ten percent, that means 2% of the population will suffer a cancer. That is about 300,000 people with a new cancer that the person otherwise wopuld not have had.If each case is worth 10,000,000 dollars US, that's three trillon US dollars in "full indenmities" just for the human suffering and past and future wage loss with medical expenses of those who get new cancer. Stillbirths and miscarriages are not even counted. Children with mental problems from thyroid damage (cretinism) - what do they get?
Medical will be a different issue and Tepco will no longer exist accept as a vile and reviled name.
US Navy vice admiral reported 1,500 microsieverts per hour thyroid dose south of Tokyo on March 20
http://enenews.com/?p=27205
See Comments
An alien species observing this nuke parade would just completely disrespect us.
http://nukeproffesional.blogspot.com/p/uranium-aerosolized-into-atmosphere.html
The plutonium is the 8000lb Gorilla in the room, plutonium is the most dangerous substance known to man except for a few bio-warfare agents. If the truth got out, then the ability of the nuke industry to get rid of their plutonium waste by re-burning it, would be stopped. And since the nuke industry has no long term storage solution lasting 100's of thousands of years, well then the whole nuke industry would have a big problem going forward.
And the nuke industry doesn't want to give up their toys, their sexy science, their way of pumping their ego in their godlike pursuit of turning matter into energy - TO BOIL WATER. Not to mention that nuke income pays for their living, their expensive houses, and THEIR PENSIONS.
In no way can they let the 8000lb gorilla into public view. We all been dosed with plutonium and uranium which are both deadly poisons as HEAVY METALS, in fact they are both just minorly radioactive, it is HEAVY METAL TOXICITY that kills us, and breaks down our ability to fight other disease.
We are all downwind, Shut them all Down now
Who is keeping tract of every GRAM of nuclear materials in Japan, how much is being stolen and or sold to other groups or Countries?
This is a VERY IMPORTANT issue that has not been addressed in MSM:
Where have ALL THE HIGHLY RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS GONE?