Resume and Run

One biological discovery in the policy was that human being could forget an unprecedentedly tragic disaster within three and a half years, even it was still going on. Nuclear Regulation Authority for the first time delivered certification of passing new regulation standard for two nuclear power reactors in Sendai Nuclear Power Plant. They are supposed to be resumed early next year, after receiving consent from local residents. While Japan has even been enjoying economic growth with no nuclear reactor working, the political leaders cannot overcome the addiction to nuclear power.

The leaders of Shinzo Abe administration reiterate that the new regulation is the strictest safety standard for nuclear reactors in the world. But it has only a few reasons such as reservation of alternative source of electricity for seven days, four days longer than regulation in United States or France. Experts of the regulation authority emphasize two additional regulations, deterring outflow of radioactive materials and mitigating human damage by disseminated radioactive materials, to already existed three, enhancing power resource in emergency, immediate detection of accident and containment of damage in reactor within architectural standard. That is it.

Chairman of RNA, Shun-ichi Tanaka, boasted “I wouldn’t say the risk is zero.” Everybody knows. “They are power companies, residents around and national government who decide resumption of reactors,” told Tanaka. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said “We will promote the resumption, because the authority allowed it,” attributing the resumption policy to NRA. But, Governor of Kagoshima, where Sendal Plant locates, Yu-ichiro Ito, required national government to make clear of responsibility in the time of unexpected accident. Only Kyushu Electric Power Company is excited, because the resumption will improve its finance.

People in Satsuma-Senday City, embracing Sendai Plant, mostly welcome the resumption, because it brings subsidy to the city and most jobs are dependent on the plant. However, people living outside the city, receiving no benefit from the plant, are worried about possible accident. NRA did not consider evacuation plan, causing frustration of the people. It mostly ignored eighteen thousand opinions in public comment, making no change in the conclusion for resumption. Protestors chanted “No Resumption” in front of the building of NRA in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The Japanese sometimes make embarrassing action, when he or she will not need to take responsibility. Passing responsibility around, government, company and people are brave enough to go wrong direction, which may lead them to the same mistake they have experienced. Simple, innocent and happy life goes on in Japanese way.