nuclear-news

Anti nuclear movement in Japan growing, and broadening

March 11, One Year On: A New Breed Of Anti-Nuclear Protesters?  WSJ, By Mitsuru Obe 11 Mar 12, Musicians in Japan were supposed to keep clear of politics. And TV shows that allowed anti-nuclear messages would likely find themselves short of advertisers. But that seems to be slowly changing.

“……..“Unlike Europeans, Japanese are not used to taking direct political action. But women and young people are stepping forward and taking action,” Tetsunari Iida, Japan’s leading renewable energy advocate, said backstage at the rally.

Mr. Iida said he wants to see a steady growth in people’s involvement in politics, not a short-term burst in popular action. Satoshi Kamata, an investigative journalist who is leading a campaign to collect 10 million signatures for ending Japan’s nuclear power, said the anti-nuclear movement in Japan is broadening in spectrum.

“It is no longer a political issue. It’s about your life. That’s why so many people are now coming out to voice their opposition,” he said. In a rally in Aomori, home to Japan’s nuclear fuel recycling facilities, 1,760 people showed up, a welcome surprise to the organizers who were anticipating only 1,000 people, said Mr. Kamata.

“Opposition to nuclear fuel recycling slowed after the facilities were constructed. But the Fukushima disaster showed the danger of spent fuel. That has rekindled concerns about nuclear power again in Aomori,” he said.
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/03/12/march-11-one-year-on-a-new-breed-of-anti-nuclear-protesters/?mod=google_news_blog

March 12, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general