nuclear-news

Japan’s new Industry Minister joins pro nuclear propaganda exercise

Japan Industry Minister attempts to convince public on nuclear power, Deccan Chronicle, AFP | September 21, 2014 Tokyo: Japan’s new Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi said on Sunday that the resource-poor nation should be realistic about its energy needs as the government tries to convince a sceptical public on the necessity of nuclear power.

More than three years after the disaster at Fukushima, where a tsunami sent reactors into meltdown, the Japanese public remains unconvinced of the safety of the technology.

The difficult task of winning them round has fallen to Obuchi, appointed the country’s first female minister of economy, trade and industry by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe….

……Japan’s nuclear watchdog earlier this month gave a green light to plans to restart two reactors, more than three years after the Fukushima disaster.

However, hurdles still remain, including getting the consent of local communities in a country still scarred by the catastrophe where all 48 viable reactors are offline.

Widespread anti-nuclear sentiment has simmered in Japan ever since the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 caused meltdowns at Fukushima, sparking the worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, many of whom have not been allowed to return, with scientists warning some areas might have to be abandoned forever. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140921/world-neighbours/article/japan-industry-minister-attempts-convince-public-nuclear-power

September 22, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general