This Week’s Update — How should We Build Consensus on Energy? (9th, July 2012)
The Japanese government proposed policy options in June about the future of energy policy and nuclear power, and people begun to debate these issues. GEPR provides necessary information in order to consider them appropriately.
How should people build national consensus about nuclear power and energy issues？ Many democratic countries are faced with these problems. Seeking its solutions are important, buy it is not easy. Japan's experience will become helpful for other countries.
This Week's Column
１）Mr. Toshiro Kitamura, who worked at the Japan Atomic Power Company, contributed a column “My Experience of Fukushima Nuclear Disaster as a victim who promoted nuclear power plant” (English Translation coming soon).
After his retirement, Mr. Kitamura moved to Fukushima and suffered from the disaster as a Fukushima resident. He presents us questions which he gained through his experience, and says:
“Atomic energy persons concerned who completed everything in formalities were over optimistic and the sites of power plants were physically and mentally distant from the central government offices and the head offices of power companies. Also, both the local governments and the local residents were eager to enjoy profits from nuclear plants, but they were quite carelessness about emergency situation.”
２）Dr. Nobuo Ikeda, president of Agora Incorporated contributed, ”Is Nuclear Accident in Fukushima ‘Made in Japan ‘?”（English translation coming soon）
National Diet of Japan, Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission（NAIIC） opened their official report. It showed that the accident was ’ Made in Japan’. Dr. Ikeda pointed out problem in this.
３）Japan's energy situation has changed fundamentally after the accident in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power. One of the changes is in a stable supply of electricity. The electricity could be used freely with just turning a switch. However, from now on, there is a possibility that electric power shortage could be constant by stopping nuclear power plants.
Yumiko Iwafune, Associate Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, contributed a column “From 2011 Emergency Power Savings to 2012 Sustainable Power Savings” In addition to her study in energy consumption, she is active in enlightenment activities of power-saving etc to the general pubic.
Iwafune pointed out that electricity savings in Japan in 2011 was achieved by the burdens on the economy and the people. She gives an opinion that we should consider electricity savings in a way that effect meeting efforts, reflecting 2011 experience.
This Week’s News
１）”Beware post-crisis ‘Made in Japan’ labels” (Financial Times)
This article introduced NAIIC’s report and questioned that the crisis lie in shortcoming of Japanese culture.
