nuclear-news

Japanese people willing to cut energy use, rather than restart nuclear reactors

“We have learned from olden times to live with natural disasters ….The difference here is that this nuclear nightmare has resulted directly from man’s will.”

Japanese wary of restarting reactors By Matthew Fisher, MINAMISOMA, JAPAN April 15, 2012 Calgary Herald,    Whether to turn some of the country’s nuclear power back on is an emotive and hugely divisive issue. It pits businesses concerned about higher energy prices and electricity shortages against the general population, which is not sure it wants any of the nuclear plants turned on again even if it means that their homes will go dark for several hours every day during the summer.

As for the government’s role in judging the hazards after the tsunami
waters invaded the nuclear plant and in subsequently providing
information on the dangers posed by the multiple meltdowns, “There has
developed a gap in trust between us and the government,” said Kohchi
Marooka, who breeds cattle to the northwest of the most seriously
contaminated area. “Its policy of still advocating nuclear energy does
not inspire confidence because at the same time as they are closing
the last reactor still operating they are trying to open some of the
ones that have been closed.

“There remain serious issues about how to protect these plants and how
to deal with their waste. The proper way to deal with this is not to
be reopening plants before new safeguards are in place.”…..
Oouchi, the inspector, was “unhappy” with the government, too. ….
There was a lesson in this for all countries that depend on nuclear
power, including Canada, she said.

“We have learned from olden times to live with natural disasters such
as earthquakes and tsunamis that happen despite man’s will,” Oouchi
said. “The difference here is that this nuclear nightmare has resulted
directly from man’s will.” : http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Japanese+wary+restarting+reactors/6461690/story.html#ixzz1sEhVcZ9c

April 16, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general