Passing Fukushima

Has the radiation level in Fukushima been reduced by decontamination efforts? Most region in Fukushima showed lower radiation level than the target national government had set. But in the area close to broken nuclear reactors, contamination level is too high for the residents to get back home and have ordinary happy life. It is unclear whether the government really owes its responsibility to decontaminate the land until it becomes useful for people’s life. It is likely that Fukushima is becoming the second Chernobyl.

Asahi Shimbun reported that radiation level became lower than the targeted level of 0.23 micro-sievert per hour in 88% of all 3574 monitoring posts in entire Fukushima prefecture. But, those posts with improvement were mostly set in the area far from First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. 78% of monitoring posts in seven towns around the plant showed higher level of radioactive materials. It showed a major gap in decontamination efforts by the government.

People in those high-radiation area are still in evacuation under the order issued by the government. While residents suffered by tsunami in Iwate or Miyagi are considering whether they should go back to their hometown, victims of nuclear accident do not have a choice to get back home now.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe simply reiterates that there will be no rebirth of Japan without reconstruction of Fukushima. The fact is that the government is concentrate all contaminated soil in Fukushima to the mid-term processing facility being built around the plant. Political leaders escaped from responsibility to persuade the people around the plant and to ask sacrifice for the happiness of the people in other area.

Former Premier Jun-ichiro Koizumi, known as a reputation of stranger in Japanese politics, asserted his conviction to dismantle all nuclear reactors in Japan on Wednesday. “How could he say that thing,” told Koizumi about Abe, who had announced that contaminated water emitted from the plant had been under control. Even how the government stresses safety of seawater in Fukushima coast, fish from Fukushima have not selling well in consumers in Tokyo or other urban area.

Following the opening of Joban Highway, connecting coastal area in Fukushima, the government will restart train transportation of Joban Line next year. Abe recognize it as a symbol of the progress of reconstruction efforts. But the government does not have any plan to decontaminate forest with high radiation. It makes the people worried about their own health. Tokyo government is going to pass this devastated area by with high-speed vehicle called “cause of reconstruction.”