Japan « nuclear-news

Fukushima reactor No 1 refuelling floor too radioactively hot for humans to enter

Former Fukushima Daiichi Worker: My best guess is explosion had to blow lid off pressure vessel at Reactor 1 http://enenews.com/former-fukushima-daiichi-worker-my-best-guess-is-explosion-had-to-blow-lid-off-pressure-vessel-at-reactor-1 August 2nd, 2012 By ENENews Chris Canine has 15 years experience as a Health Physics Technician, Chemist and Radiation Safety Instructor. He has worked at over 20 plants throughout the United States, Japan and Mexico — including Fukushima #1 and #2 in the late 1970′s.

August 1, 2012 comment on ‘Tepco planning to float a balloon inside Reactor 1 in early August — Inspecting top floor with spent fuel pool‘

Tepco is basically saying that the refueling floor is still too radioactively hot for any human to enter. There was no fire in that spent fuel pool, and we never heard that it was like unit #3 and blew the lid off the pressure vessel. So why are radiation levels so high? During normal operations there is little radiation on the refueling floor because there is really nothing there. The fuel in the pool is under water with no dose on the surface, and the reactor is buried under cement and steel. My best guess is that the hydrogen explosion had to blow the lid off this reactor also. With radioactive gasses and particulates coming out of the reactor the cover was put on the building to limit the releases out onto the site. But as the cover kept in a lot of this radioactive material the refueling floor is so contaminated that it is no longer a place where humans can work or even walk through.

Find the answer why they put a cover on only this building and that will tell you the condition of this unit.

August 4, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012 | Leave a comment

?TV program “NEWSROOM” reveals truth about Fukushima event?

New Episode of HBO’s ‘Newsroom’ Centered on Fukushima Cover-up: “It’s a lot worse than they’re telling you” — Level 5 vs Level 7 is “the difference between life and gruesome death” August 3rd, 2012 By ENENews Title: The Newsroom
Source: Salon.com
Author: Willa Paskin
Date: July 31, 2012
Sunday’s episode was set during the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear reactor. Sloan — who, like Munn, speaks fluent Japanese — learned from a spokesperson of the nuclear plant, off the record, that the problems with the reactor would likely be upgraded from a Three Mile Island-size disaster to a Chernobyl-size one. Filling in for an anchor on one of the prime-time news shows, Sloan, all fired up by a pep talk from Will McAvoy, manhandled and bullied her two guests, the spokesperson and his translator, repeatedly correcting the translator’s translations, eventually breaking into Japanese herself, and finally revealing the information she had gotten off the record without any on-air confirmation that this was actually true. Continue reading →

August 4, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012, media | Leave a comment

Plan to “fix” Fukushima site may cause more problems

US nuclear experts were concerned over Japan’s plan to ‘goop’ Fukushima Daiichi with ‘Fix It’ — “Can form a glue-like material (peanut butter!) and may cause more problems” http://enenews.com/us-nuclear-experts-were-concerned-over-japans-plan-to-goop-fukushima-daiichi-with-fix-it-can-form-a-glue-like-material-peanut-butter-and-may-cause-more-problems August 2nd, 2012 By ENENews Title: April 5th, 2011 – Japan Plans to “Goop” the Site With a Material Called “Fix It” – As a Way to Fix Ground and Building Loose Contamination Source: Enformable Date: August 2, 2012 Japan Team and Consortium 3:00 am Phone Call (RST log 2040) INPO Bob Ryan EPRI Steve Modine Japan Team

Japan plans to “Goop” the site with a material called “Fix It” it is purported to be used as a way to fix ground and building loose contamination. TEPCO Japan is planning to perform this action in the future. RST has some preliminary product information and has passed this to the
Consortium.

RST and Consortium 11:00 am Phone Call

INPO:

Organic compounds like the one suggested by the Japanese when exposed to radiation. can form a glue-like material (peanut butter!) and may cause more problems
water is the best solution for now

???: Any other compound available?

TEPCO is planning a test before using their compound – INPO’s concern is that it will take time for radiations effects (-few days?)

INPO: Concern with this method are (1) impact on heat transfer in the spent fuel pool, and (2) effect on the remote devices

August 4, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012 | Leave a comment

IAEA’s conflict of interest in advising about radiation and health

In fact, researchers have been surprised to find that genetic damage, and above all perigenetic damage, which is responsible for genomic instability, to descendants is far worse than to parents; and this risk increases from one generation to the next.

After a year, [for Fukushima’s children] the damage caused by the mixture of internal and external radiation to children should be measured, by comparison with data from before 2011 in the same areas, or by comparing data with communities further away, that were spared the radioactive fallout. Birthweight, incidence of stillbirth, perinatal mortality up to 28 days, birth deformities (heart problems should be investigated later), and among the genetic diseases, Down’s syndrome, should all be studied.

In order to achieve its objectives, the IAEA cannot admit that these serious and common illnesses were caused by ionising radiation, because once known, it would prevent the development of the nuclear industry throughout the world.

The IAEA is therefore a poor source of advice for national health authorities

Fukushima, Precious Time Has Been Lost http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/303-211/12736-fukushima-precious-time-has-been-lost RSN, By Dr. Michel Fernex, The Fukushima Collective Evacuation Trial 02 August 12
It is a privilege to be able to lend personal support to the Fukushima Evacuate Children Lawsuit. There is no better measure of the moral health of a society than how it treats the most vulnerable people within it, and none or more vulnerable, or more precious, than
children who are the victims of unconscionable actions. For Japan, and for all of us, this is a test that we must not fail. (Noam Chomsky 12 Jan. 2012)

What should WHO have done after Chernobyl?” asked Dr Nabarro in 2002 when he was Acting Director-General of the World Health Organization. I replied immediately, and then confirmed it in writing: “Convene a Scientific Working Group on Ionising Radiation and Genetics” like the one in 1956, and add the words “and Genomic Instability”. Continue reading →

August 3, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012, health, Japan, Reference | Leave a comment

“Scrap Nuclear Power!” – Fukushima public hearing

Fukushima residents say resounding “no” to nuclear energy , Aug 1 2012

*Public hearings could affect nuclear policy decision

* Fukushima prosecutors launch probe after residents complaints

* Reactor restarts galvanise anti-nuclear movement (Adds Prosecutors
launch two probes against Tepco execs, officials)

By Kiyoshi Takenaka FUKUSHIMA, Japan, Aug 1 (Reuters) – Get out of nuclear power and do it fast, angry Fukushima residents told Japanese government officials on Wednesday at a public hearing on energy policy held in an area ravaged by a nuclear disaster that has whipped up opposition to atomic power.

The Fukushima hearing, the ninth out of 11 planned nationwide, sought to gather views on n uclear power’s role in the nation’s energy mix as the government struggles to cover a power shortfall by that could threaten economic growth….. “I want all the reactors in Japan shut
immediately and scrapped,” a grey-haired woman, who introduced herself as a farmer living 65 km (40 miles) from the Fukushima plant, said at the public hearing in the prefecture capital.

“Many people are now aware that the government’s talking of ‘no immediate risk to health’ is tantamount to ‘long-term health risk’,” she said to the applause of about 200 residents packed in a small concert hall.

Goshi Hosono, minister in charge of the response to the nuclear crisis, was heckled as he apologised for the suffering of people in Fukushima….. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/01/japan-nuclear-fukushima-idUSL4E8J143E20120801

August 3, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, politics | Leave a comment

Japan could become second biggest solar power nation New Scientist, 02 August 2012 by Rob Gilhooly WITH nuclear power on the ropes in Japan, it could be solar power’s time to shine. Minamisoma City in Fukushima prefecture has signed an agreement with Toshiba to build the country’s biggest solar park. The deal comes weeks after Japan introduced feed-in tariffs to subsidise renewable energy – a move that could see the nation become one of the world’s largest markets for solar power.

Parts of Minamisoma are around 10 kilometres from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and land there has been contaminated by radiation fallout. “Moving away from a dependency on nuclear is of course involved [with the agreement to build the solar park],” a city official said.

Both Minamisoma and neighbouring Namie have called for the cancellation of plans to build a nearby nuclear power plant – although Minamisoma has received $6.4 million over the past 25 years for initially agreeing to host the facility.

A number of Japanese municipalities have started solar projects in recent months. Plans have been drawn up for large-scale solar parks in Hokkaido and Kyushu, while SB Energy began operating two megasolar facilities, in Kyoto and Gunma, on 1 July.

“New solar projects are being generated day by day,” says Toshiba’s Yuji Shimada. Some estimates suggest the move could help Japan leapfrog Italy andbecome the second-biggest market for solar power after Germany… http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21528764.800-japan-could-become-second-biggest-solar-power-nation.html

August 3, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, renewable | Leave a comment

Radioactivity in Tokyo

Dr. Chris Busby: Entomb the reactors or have ‘Mad Max’ scenario. http://optimalprediction.com/wp/dr-chris-busby-entomb-the-reactors-or-have-mad-max-scenario/ 3 Aug 12, Chris Busby is calling for sealing off the Fukushima reactors, since they are still releasing huge amounts of radionuclides. Cost is no object. I would say that the whole site needs to be entombed, since steam and smoke are coming out of fissures in the ground. Also a boronated concrete barrier needs to be built underground, to stop the leakage of corium into the groundwater and the sea.

Busby has also done tests on an air-conditioning filter in a Tokyo apartment (here andhere), and has found huge amounts of cesium and uranium in it. Where there is uranium, there is plutonium too. These radionuclides are incredibly toxic.

August 3, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Japan, Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

TEPCO will float balloon inside Fukushima reactor No.1

Tepco planning to float balloon inside Reactor 1 in early August — Inspecting top floor with spent fuel pool http://enenews.com/tepco-planning-float-balloon-inside-reactor-1-early-august-inspecting-top-floor-spent-fuel-pool August 1st, 2012 By ENENews

(Subscription Only) Title: TEPCO floats balloon plan to inspect reactor’s top floor
Source: AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
Date: July 31, 2012
[Tepco] plans to inspect the top floor of the No. 1 reactor building using a balloon equipped with cameras, possibly in early August.
The plan.. is part of preparations for extracting nuclear fuel from a spent fuel storage pool on the top floor of the No. 1 reactor building….

Inspection from above is difficult, because the No. 1 reactor building has been encased in a protective shield since October.

TEPCO plans to inspect the top floor of the building by floating a balloon equipped with four cameras through an opening in the ceiling that extends from the ground floor to the fifth floor….

August 2, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012 | Leave a comment

Fukushima workers made to cover radiation dosimeters with lead plates

Criminal? Fukushima Daiichi workers told to rip open radiation protection suits and insert lead plates — “Make sure nobody sees what you are doing” — Threatened with being fired ENE News July 21st, 2012 Follow up to: Fukushima Daiichi workers ordered to cover dosimeters with lead plates (PHOTO)

(Subscription Only) Title: TEPCO subcontractor used lead to fake dosimeter readings at Fukushima plant Source: AJW by The Asahi Shimbun Authors: Jun Sato, Chiaki Fujimori, Miki Aoki, Tamiyuki Kihara and Takayuki Kihara Date: July 21, 2012

Workers at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant were ordered to cover their dosimeters with lead plates to keep radiation doses low enough to continue working under dangerous conditions, the Asahi Shimbun has learned….. Continue reading →

August 2, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012, Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

Further cheating by TEPCO on Fukushima radiation monitoring

Tokyo Paper: Thick iron shielding placed below radiation monitoring post — Dose was double 5 meters away http://enenews.com/tokyo-paper-thick-iron-shielding-below-radiation-monitoring-post-journalist-dose-doubled-5-meters-away August 1st, 2012 By ENENews

Follow-up to: Japan TV: Monitoring posts show far lower radiation dose — Levels shoot up just steps away

Tokyo Shinbun article from March 2012 with summary translation on July 31, 2012 by Safecast member ‘the_STIG’ who lives in Japan:

Journalist Shoji Ozawa reported that surface soil had been replaced and that a thick iron shielding had been placed below a monitoring post in Iitate that measured 1.2uSv. He measured 2.4uSv when he walked 5m away from the post. The Ministry of Education currently publishes less than 1uSv for Iitate. Professor Imanaka of Kyoto University said that the current monitoring posts are not usable at all.

August 2, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012, Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

Fukushima radiation levels – Tepco cheats on monitoring

Japan TV: Monitoring posts show far lower radiation dose — Levels shoot up just steps away http://enenews.com/japan-tv-monitoring-posts-show-far-lower-radioactivity-levels-shoot-up-just-steps-away-tokyo-professor August 1st, 2012 By ENENews Fukushima
Title: TEPCO cheating on radiation levels by using “improved” monitoring postsSource: Safecast Author: the_STIG (Permanent foreign resident of Japan for over 30 years)Date: July 31, 2012 Link (Japanese Only): http://blog.fujitv.co.jp/tokudane/E20120716005.html

On July 17, 2012, the Japanese TV morning news show “Tokudane” reported that 31 out of 38 monitoring posts in 6 cities in Fukushima showed far lower radiation levels than the general actual levels for the areas where the monitoring posts are in. They measured the radiation levels with Professor Kato of Tokyo Metropolitan University. When they use a survey meter and walk a few steps away from the monitoring posts, the radiation levels shoot sharply up. One post measured 0.24uSv while a measurement showed 0.41uSv only one meter away. A monitoring post in South Iitate indicated 4.51uSv, but a survey meter read 9.5uSv. Professor Kato says that such monitoring posts have been set up on decontaminated spots. Citizens have been skeptical of their measurements for a long time.

TEPCO made a document for public release on April 20, 2012 explaining that they have “improved” the area surrounding monitoring posts by cutting trees within 20 to 30m, replacing soil and placing shielding walls, so that readings remain below 10uSv/h. It details the case of 8 monitoring posts, and they cite an example where the radiation dose went down from 83.6uSv to 9.7uSv.

August 2, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

Oi reactors will be idled if fault under them is active, new nuclear safety chief warns, Japan Times, 1 Aug 12, Kyodo The man nominated to head the new atomic regulatory authority said Wednesday he expects the two reactors at the Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture to halt operations should there be any active fault found underneath them. Continue reading →

August 2, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, safety | Leave a comment

AP: Link between nuclear weapons and nuclear power is “becoming increasingly clear” says Japan professor — Nuclear power industry not thrilled people are talking about it July 31st, 2012 By ENENews Title: Japan pro-bomb voices grow louder amid nuke debateSource: Associated Press Date: July 31, 2012 “.. as Japan weighs whether to phase out nuclear power, some conservatives, including some influential politicians and thinkers, are becoming more vocal about their belief that Japan should have at least the ability to make nuclear weapons.

The two issues are intertwined because nuclear plants can develop the technology and produce the fuel needed for weaponry, as highlighted by concerns that nuclear power programs in Iran and North Korea are masking bomb development.

Shigeru Ishiba, former Defense Minister and current lawmaker told The Associated Press

“Having nuclear plants shows to other nations that Japan can make nuclear weapons”

Hitoshi Yoshioka, professor of social and cultural studies at Kyushu University

“The recognition that both nuclear issues must be addressed is heightening in Japan”

The link between the two is “becoming increasingly clear”

Tatsujiro Suzuki, vice chairman at the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, a government panel that shapes nuclear policy

“If people keep saying (nuclear energy) is for having nuclear weapons capability, that is not good”

“Technically it may be true, but it sends a very bad message to the international community” http://enenews.com/ap-link-between-nuclear-weapons-and-nuclear-power-is-becoming-increasingly-clear-says-japan-professor-nuclear-power-industry-not-thrilled-people-are-talking-about-it

August 1, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Fukushima Film: It’s murder not allowing children to escape http://enenews.com/local-official-fukushima-allowing-children-escape-murder-will-be-late-when-second-chernobyl-video — It will be too late when we are the 2nd Chernobyl -Local Japanese Official (VIDEO) July 31st, 2012 By ENENews

Two workers fall ill while at Reactor 3, transported to hospital in ambulance — Both had altered consciousness »
Fukushima Film: It’s murder not allowing children to escape — It will be too late when we are the 2nd Chernobyl -Local Japanese Official (VIDEO)
Transcript Excerpt Surviving Japan (2012) Filmmaker: Chris Noland

Minamisoma city council member Koichi Oyama: I would like to explain something historical to better your understanding. Japan used to be ruled by a king, the emperor…..
Parents and teacher tell children the best thing you can do was die for your country.
Kamikaze pilots in the war embodied this spirit.
In World War II they always told us we were winning every battle.
No one knew about Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The same thing is happening now. The current government not telling people what is happening is the same we have had since World War II.
Keep your country alive by killing yourself.
I think the way to save the children at Fukushima is to get the world involved. If we don’t protect our children now, it will be too late when we are the second Chernobyl.
Not allowing the children to escape is murder.

August 1, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, media, Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

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Read the Public Inquiry Report, the Commissioners’ report, Surrendering Australia: The AUKUS Deception is available to download for free at aukuspublicinquiry.com. Or just watch the replay of the National Press Club Luncheon.