nuclear-news

Richard Wilcox on Tokyo’s governor election and the nuclear issue

Will Fukushima’s Leaking Radiation Contaminate Tokyo’s Water Supply?, Activist Post, Richard Wilcox, Ph.D 5 Feb 14,“…….Just a brief note on the upcoming Tokyo city mayoral election. It should come as no surprise that the Nuclear Lobby’s candidate, Mr. Masuzoe, is in the lead to win. Masuzoe favors a gradual phase out of nuclear power, which is vague enough to mean anything or nothing and is typical political doublespeak. Masuzoe is a former health minister but has not been outspoken about the dangers of radiation. Prime Minister Abe stands firmly behind Masuzoe while the Japanese media studiously ignores the other candidates, virtually assuring a Masuzoe “victory.”

Former Japan Prime Minister, Mr. Hosokawa, who has spoken out strongly and intelligently against nuclear power, is lagging behind according to one opinion poll. Alas, the opposition candidates are not organized against the Nuclear Lobby’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who have been in power since WWII. The fragmented “opposition” led by the Japan Communist Party (JCP) inevitably guarantee LDP hegemony, due to their inflexibility and dogmatic approach to politics. Talk about pounding your head against a brick wall, it almost seems like the JCP are a paid opposition to insure no viable third way can occur.

In Tokyo the billboards that advertise candidates show a sleepy looking Hosokawa, a political has-been who appears to be been sitting at the end of the bar drinking whisky and singing karaoke. On the other hand, the LDP’s glad-hander, Mr. Masuzoe is cheerful and looks as if he just had a fresh injection of botox. After all, Masuzoe is a retired TV commentator and a friendly TV face to the bewildered masses who don’t know where to turn.

The JCP candidate, Mr. Utsunomiya, is probably a very intelligent and principled candidate, a lawyer who is said to fight for justice for the average worker. Unfortunately, the man has a mild mannered appearance and demeanor that rivals the excitment of a comatose flea on a rhino’s backside.

I hope I am wrong but I’m afraid the LDP will stay in power and not only will nuclear power plants be restarted after the post-3/11 shutdowns, it is even possible that new reactors could be built in Japan! It should be noted that very few LDP politicians actually support the latter option. On the other hand, a rational plan for renewable energy that is badly needed, and could in theory provide one hundred percent of Japan’s electricity needs by 2050, will be further sabotaged…..

February 5, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized