October 15, 2015

Oct 15, 2015 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • Sendai unit #2 is restarted. The first control rods began withdrawal at 10:30 am (Japan Time), and initial criticality was achieved at ~11pm (11am EDT). Kyushu Electric Co. plans to start generating and transmitting power next Wednesday and resume commercial operation in mid-November. The unit has been idled by Japan’s nuclear moratorium for more than four years. This is the second restarted reactor at Sendai station, Kagoshima Prefecture. Kyushu Electric Power Co. President Michiaki Uriu pledged, “We will continue to cooperate with the central government’s inspection procedures and proceed with operational procedures at the plant by putting utmost priority on securing its safety.” Kagoshima Governor Yuichiro Ito added a cautionary note, “Japan’s nuclear policy will end should local residents be forced to evacuate in a grave accident. I think the Nuclear Regulation Authority screened the facility, fully aware of such a scenario, and the utility should share the same recognition in proceeding with reactivation.” On Tuesday, antinuclear demonstrators began a protest vigil, waving signs saying “Nuclear plants, no more”. They alleged that Kyushu Electric Co. has made a “suicidal” decision because the company considered upgrading a steam generator in 2009, but the plans were dropped. The protestors claim this was potentially catastrophic decision that places the public at mortal risk. Local antinuclear leader Ryoko Torihara added that local residents have done nothing to wean themselves off economic dependency on Sendai station, “Three decades have passed since the plant started operations, and residents no longer seem to have creative minds to come up with alternative methods to sustain the city’s economy.” Wataru Ogawa from neighboring Miyazaki Prefecture said that once deregulation takes place customers should stop buying electricity from Kyushu Electric. This morning, 70-100 protestors remained at the Sendai station gates, with the main complaint being that emergency evacuation plans are insufficient. Hisashi Ide from far-away Ehime Prefecture added, “The public wants to do away with nuclear power. Our voice of protest has been ignored.” A resident of host community Satsumasendai offered a mixed message, “If an accident occurs, I’m worried it could endanger [the health of] children… [but] We have seen more people walking around the city after the No. 1 unit started operating.” http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html — http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201510130025 — http://www.jaif.or.jp/en/sendai-2-restarted/ — http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20151015p2g00m0dm033000c.html  — http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201510150020 — http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20151015_18.html —
  • Japan’s wide-spread lack of knowledge about radiation is increasing. Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has run six surveys concerning general knowledge about radioactivity in foods over the 4+ years since the Fukushima accident. The percentage of people who said they had a basic understanding of radiation and its effects dropped from last year, and the portion who said they didn’t know anything about the effects of radiation on their bodies is at an all-time high of 31.1%. The proportion of those could not accept any radiation risk increased, and those who could accept such risk (to some degree) decreased. Those concerned about the possibility of radiation in their foods remained unchanged from last year (21.5%). However, the percentage of consumers who said they could handle small foods with “as little radioactive material as possible” declined, and more people said that the safety criteria should be stricter than it is now. Perhaps the most surprising fact is that nearly 35% said they didn’t know whether or not their foods were being checked for radiation levels, even though all Press outlets report about the testing program on a regular basis. (Aside -The results of the survey indicate that Tokyo’s efforts to improve public understanding about radiation are actually having a negative effect. – End Aside) http://www.jaif.or.jp/en/agency-reports-on-decline-in-peoples-knowledge-about-radiation/
  • Tokyo discloses a five-point plan for used fuel disposal. The concept includes a grouping of the government and nuclear-operating utilities to promote spent nuclear fuel measures, strengthening regional incentives such as grants, and improving public awareness of activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle. Until these measures are in place, the plan says, “The Japanese government will reinforce efforts toward facilitating the construction and use of new facilities for intermediate and dry storage, while studying a wide range of locations as candidates, regardless of whether they are inside or outside NPP premises.” The plan also said Tokyo will work toward the completion of the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and the Mutsu Interim Storage Facility, and resolved to study whether countries buying Japanese nuclear technology have appropriate safety systems in-place. http://www.jaif.or.jp/en/japanese-government-to-reinforce-measures-for-spent-fuel-disposal/