Japan cites lessons from nuke accident

TOKYO – Since the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power stations last March, Japan said a midterm to long-term initiative is needed to settle the situation, imposing a huge burden on society, including the evacuation of many residents in the vicinity in the long run.

In a report to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Japanese government said the burden arising from such a midterm to long-term initiative also has a major impact on industrial activities, including the farming and livestock sectors.

“Japan’s basic policy is to release information about this accident with a high degree of transparency,” the Japanese government said in its report.

“There are thus many aspects different from the accidents in the past at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant,” it added. 

The accident is also characterized by emergency response activities that had to be performed in a situation where the earthquake and tsunami destroyed the social infrastructure such as electricity supply, communication and transportation system across a wide area. The occurrence of aftershocks frequently impeded various response activities. 

“This accident led to a severe accident, shook the trust of the public, and warned those engaged in nuclear energy of their overconfidence in nuclear safety. It is therefore important to learn lessons from this accident,” the report said.

The lessons learned by Japan from the Fukushima accident are presented into five categories emphasizing the most important basic principle of securing nuclear safety.

“We consider it inevitable to carry out a fundamental review of nuclear safety measures in Japan based on these lessons,” it said. 

Lessons in category 1 stemmed from the fact that the Fukushima accident has been severe, and from reviewing the sufficiency of preventive measures against such a severe accident.

Lessons in category 2 arose from reviewing the adequacy of the responses to the accident.

Category 3 involved lessons learned from reviewing the adequacy of the emergency responses to the nuclear disaster. 

Learning from the review of the robustness of the safety infrastructure established at nuclear power stations is the focus of lessons in category 4, while those in category 5 arose from a review of the thoroughness of the safety culture. 

The Japanese government said the situation has become extremely trying for Japan, insofar as it has had to execute counter-measures during the nuclear accident while also dealing with the broader disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunamis. 

“The fact that this accident has raised serious concerns around the world about safety of nuclear power generation is a matter which Japan takes with the utmost seriousness and remorse. Above all, Japan sincerely regrets causing anxiety for people all over the world about the release of radioactive materials,” Japan said. 

Currently, Japan is dealing with the issues and working toward settling the situation, utilizing accumulated experience and knowledge.

Japan also recognizes its responsibility to share with the world the lessons it has learned from this process. 

Japan sees the necessity of reviewing its current energy policy from scratch with a goal of “no-nuclear plant” and making the Tohoku region, heavily devastated by the March 11 earthquake, the center of renewable energy. 

Deputy Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Noriyuki Shikata said in an interview with visiting ASEAN journalists that the country’s nuclear policy needs to be reviewed. 

But there was no mention about the timing for the no-nuclear goal. 

Shikata said there are discussions for the plan to make the Tohoku region the center of renewable energy.  

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yutaka Banno said in a separate interview at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi sparked debate but “sooner or later the government can announce certain directions on nuclear energy.” 

He emphasized the safer energy option for the Japanese government to achieve a greater level of safety by not limiting to nuclear power or establishing the best energy mix for the country. 

“So in the days ahead we shall assume policies to encourage technical innovation to gradually reducing our dependence on nuclear energy and increasing reliance on renewable energy,” Banno said.

Shikata said Japan also received support from the United States and French companies for the technology of reducing radiation in water so it could be used again to lower temperature inside the Fukushima nuclear plant.

“The recycling of water system is beginning to work. We said it is difficult because it is a combination of different technologies; when we accumulate contamination of water, we get to the stage of how to dispose contaminated water,” he said. 

The technology, he said, is going through different phases and is beginning to work. 

“It is a different role by combining those technologies through different phases. It is the first time we are combining those technologies,” he said.