nuclear-news

How nuclear radioactivity has killed Japan’s surfing industry

AUDIO Japan’s surfers lament radioactive coast, Radio Australia 2 July 2012, Japan overnight restarted a nuclear reactor – the first time it’s done so since the Fukushima disaster. The move has polarised the country, with many fearing the reactor on the country’s west coast is just as vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis as the Fukushima plant.

And some of those fighting hardest against the restart of more nuclear
plants are Japan’s professional surfers, who say Fukushima’s coastline
was once regarded as one of the best surfing spots in the country.
Speakers: Hiroki Watanabe, surfer; Manabu Watanabe, surfer

(Sound of paddling)

MARK WILLACY: Hiroki Watanabe paddles through the foam and spray, out
towards Fukushima’s famous breaks. He’s been surfing here since he was
a little kid. But after the meltdowns and the contamination of the
ocean Hiroki Watanabe and his brother Manabu are the only two pro
surfers left in all of Fukushima…… Much has been made of the
contamination of Fukushima’s fishing grounds, but less about
Fukushima’s 20 beaches and surf spots…… “I started to go back in
because it was reported that radiation hadn’t been detected in one
test,” says pro surfer Manabu Watanabe. “But I can’t be confident
because I believe the plant operator TEPCO is hiding the truth,” he
tells me….. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/japans-surfers-lament-radioactive-coast/971320

July 5, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Japan, Resources -audiovicual