Apology of Leading Paper

President of Asahi Shimbun, a leading newspaper with seven million circulations, held a press conference in the evening of Thursday to announce his apology about the wrong report on Yoshida Interview, in which former Director of First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, Masao Yoshida, told about the situation of the plant right after severe accident occurred three and a half years ago. He apologized on sending a wrong image as if workers with Tokyo Electric Power Company in the plant escaped from their responsibility against Yoshida’s order. That is an ordinary story in Japanese media, so far. What makes the story different from usual scandal is that some conservative papers do not stop criticizing Asahi, accusing that it eroded national interest.

There were three points in the apology of the president, Tadakazu Ito; wrong report of Yoshida Interview, delay of correction of the reports on comfort woman and rejection of an article of series column criticizing Asahi’s attitude on comfort woman issue. Ito also apologized in an article on Friday that expression of “retreat against director’s order” had been inappropriate in the article in May, in which it reported ninety percent of the workers evacuated against Yoshida’s order. Ito said the paper would make efforts of verification on why the mistake happened. Ito indicated that he would step down after paving a way to reform the news company.

Yomiuri and Sankei got excited with the apology of a big rival. In editorial, Yomiuri emphasized that Asahi’s apology on comfort woman had been too late to maintain Japan’s national interest. Yomiuri did not elaborate what exactly was the national interest it took as precious, anyway. The paper ignored the erosion of people’s interest when its president joined the governmental council for oppressive Designated Secrecy Protection Act and helped the government activate the law.

Possessing a bitter memory on wrong report of “death of Jiang Zemin,” Sankei looked to be paralyzed with victory. “We hope Asahi to retrieve honor of the workers with TEPCO and regain dignity of Japanese people,” said its editorial. The paper insisted that Asahi needed to apologize more. Mainichi accused those criticisms as too much, while it criticized Asahi’s insufficient effort for exact reporting and failure in apologizing soon.

This accusation game among media intensively ignores fundamental issue, which is that TOPCO was actually thinking about entire retreat leaving exploding reactors, regardless workers had escaped against director’s order or not. Dishonor of the leadership would never be shaken by such trivial arguments. One thing the people have to notice is that politics is willing to be involved in the discussion. “It is true that many suffered from the wrong report and honor of Japan was harmed in international society,” told Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Right wing lawmakers required Ito’s testimony in the Diet. Be careful of this administration oppressing freedom of speech.

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.

Claiming More Continental Shelf

Not a territorial assertion, the Government of Japan determined two areas of continental shelf in East China Sea as its own. In order to secure Japan’s sovereign natural resources, the government went one step forward in the dispute with China. Although China has not responded so far, it may accelerate competition over rare materials in the sea. No communication between two economic great powers has yet been established, deteriorating security in Northeast Asia.

United Nations Convention on the Law in the Sea defines limit of continental shelf as two hundred nautical miles away from coast, area which the coastal country can have precedence for taking advantage of natural resources. If the country proves it to be naturally connected, it can extend the limit to three hundred fifty nautical miles away or less. Japan has been expecting energy resources, including methane hydrate possessing natural gas, in East China Sea.

In November 2008, Government of Japan submitted a request to extend the limit in seven places in East China Sea to U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The commission admitted two places out of seven as possible extended area for Japan, dismissing two in 2012. Other two places also could be allowed with condition of drawing border with United States, and it did not concluded on one place. The two areas Japan determined to be its own continental shelf was admitted places by the commission.

The government decided those two admitted area as Japan’s continental shelf by government ordinance on Tuesday. One of them is a broad area surrounded by Okinawa, Ogasawara Archipelago and Okinotori-shima, the southernmost island of Japan. The government assumes rich methane hydrate there. In the Marine Development Plan in 2013, it projected commercialization of methane hydrate by the end of 2018. One expert predicted that value of available natural resources sleeping under the sea would be worth three hundred trillion yen. But, technology of drilling or method of transportation has not determined yet. There are other some obstacles for commercialization.

China has been disputing that Okinotori-shima Island would not be recognized as an island with residents or independent economic activities, the condition which U.N. Convention required to be a basis for continental shelf. As far as main purpose for the assertion to Pacific Ocean is to develop natural resources, China may not be giving in soon. It is unpredictable how China will respond to Japan’s action.

Distancing from Politics

Resisting argument on his responsibility in decision about opening and closing the World War II, it described Showa Emperor, Hirohito, as a proponent of peace. Imperial Household Agency released the annals of Hirohito, who reigned over turbulent Showa era. The document with twelve thousand pages mostly introduced Hirohito as a moderate man, alienating him from politics. Although there is no new finding on important decision related to the war, the document has proven a first-class material for discovering history in fatal moments for Japan.

There are three points historians focused on, decision of opening war and closing war and Hirohito’s idea on his status for post-war era. Mainichi Shimbun highlighted the fact that the annals recognized a memorandum of Tomohiko Tomita, Grand Steward of IHA between 1978 and 1988. According to the memo, Hirohito rejected his visit to Yasukuni Shrine because of enshrinement of A-class war criminals.

The annals realize that Hirohito talked about the issue with Tomita on April 28^th, 1988. “He mentioned enshrinement of so-called A-class war criminals and visiting there,” say the annals without any substance. In addition, the document acknowledges breaking report of Nikkei in 2006, which revealed Hirohito’s reluctance of visiting Yasukuni. Mainichi took the description as endorsement of Tomita Memo.

Decisions on war have nothing new. Although Hirohito slightly resisted opening war against United States and United Kingdom with chanting a verse of Meiji Emperor, Mutsuhito, in Imperial Conference in September 1941, he did not say anything about final decision on December 1^st, seven days before Pearl Harbor attack. It is interpreted as his recognition of constitutional monarchy. On the other hand, decision of ending war is described as under Hirohito’s leadership, as historians had already found.

The annals revealed new details on possible abdication. Hirohito asked one of his aides, right after the declaration of unconditional surrender, whether Japan could avoid handing war criminals over the United Nations, if he would abdicate. An expert supposed the record on abdication as an evidence of Hirohito’s recognition on his own responsibility.

Because the annals were edited on the basis of complete disclosure, there is a possibility that some details have not been opened to the public. To study how the Emperor involved in the devastative war, it is necessary for the government to reveal more documents that contributed to the edition of the annals. As Hirohito was on imperial monarchy, his son, Akihito, is upholding post-war democracy. Concerning people’s sovereignty in current constitution, it is necessary for the government to return people’s assets.

Big Announcement of Small News

The Japanese are extremely excited when Japan is recognized on the world stage. Although it is natural for them to praise a new star in tennis, Kei Nishikori, of sweeping advance in U.S. Open, they still indulged in ecstasy of selection of Tokyo for Olympic games in 2020. Now, they look delighted in the news that Japan will be back as a member of Security Council of the United Nations. Japan persuaded Bangladesh not to run for the post. Japan bought the seat.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, told Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, that her country would not be run for the election of non-permanent member of U.N. Security Council and support Japan’s candidacy. “I deeply appreciate great cooperation of Japan. Considering close support of Japan and solidarity and integrity in Asia-Pacific region, I support Japan and dismiss our candidacy,” told Hasina in the meeting with Abe in Dhaka.

There had been no country except Japan and Bangladesh that intended to seek a seat for Asian country of non-permanent membership. Although Japan had experienced the membership for ten times, the news was reported as a major achievement of Abe. If Japan is elected, it will be a non-permanent membership between 2016 and 2017. However, why is this a big news anyway?

What Bangladesh was seeking was not the membership, which would have nothing to do with development of the country, but economic cooperation from Japan. Two prime ministers exchanged a joint statement full of economic cooperation from Japan to Bangladesh. The agreement included building industry zone between Dhaka and coastal area facing Bengal Bay, which would require enhancing infrastructure for distribution, development of cities with economic special zone, and dialogue for experts on technology for nuclear power generation.

Business leaders in the delegation led by Abe reiterated their positive stance on investment in Bangladesh, backing up Abe’s political agenda. President of Sumitomo Co. Ltd., Kuniharu Nakamura, expressed his intention for building thermal power generation plant, development of ports in Bengal Bay area in the business forum held in Dhaka.

If those efforts lead Japan to the permanent membership in Security Council, it should be a great step forward. However, it is highly unlikely for Japan to be successful in it, because United States has firmly been opposing to the idea of increasing the membership. It is not Hasina to persuade, but Barack Obama to take honorable position in international community.

Suddenly They Will See

Japan has been called nest of earthquake. Not only around the great trench on the side of Pacific Ocean, Japan Sea also has high potentiality of big quake with devastative tsunami. According to a report on earthquake in Japan Sea, released by a governmental council of experts, the biggest wave rushing to the coast would be with twenty-three meters high. The fastest wave would reach within a minute, leaving no time for evacuation. People on the coast will suddenly see tsunami.

The council picked up sixty places on cracks under Japan Sea and assumed 6.8 to 7.9 of magnitude, calculating two hundred fifty-three kinds of tsunami. Those tsunamis may reach mostly every place on the Japan coast facing Japan Sea. The biggest tsunami would come over Setana Town, Hokkaido, with the height of 23.4 meters.

Another place with possibility of high wave over twenty meters was Kamoenai Village, Hokkaido. Kamoenai is located next to Tomari Village that has only nuclear power plant in Hokkaido in its area. Although the council predicted that the height of tsunami coming to Tomari Nuclear Power Plant would be 5.8 meters high, it is unclear why the wave would be so different between two villages of Kamoenai and Tomari. The report could not wipe the anxiety out.

In addition, it was proved that the wave would come up on the land in a short time from Japan Sea. The report found fifteen places where tsunami would reach within one minutes. In the Earthquake in Southwest Hokkaido in 1993, tsunami with eight meters high reached Okushiri Island, located a hundred kilometers southwest of Tomari, in three minutes, causing one hundred ninety-three deaths or missing people. Considering that First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant could not avoid losing all power resources when tsunami reached fifty minutes after the quake, it is likely that Tomari can do nothing for protecting the plant from sudden waves.

Prediction of height of tsunami and reaching time affects emergency plan of each local government. The conclusion of report was mostly beyond former assumption of them. Common response to the report was to review evacuation scenario, rather than building great wall on the coast. It also is necessary to rescue old people who cannot move quickly.

Local government, the main actor to make evacuation plan, took the conclusion seriously and started reviewing current plan. However, bureaucrats in national government always disturb such efforts, asking “Is it really need?” or “Isn’t it too costly?” It is faster for national government to hand money over local government to protect life and property of people than supervising every step of local government.

Considering Dismantlement of Reactors

Partly realizing limit of sustainability of nuclear power generation, power companies in Japan began to consider dismantling obsolete nuclear reactors. Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. is projecting dismantlement of two old reactors in Mihama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture. Other companies in western part of Japan also take a look at the possibility of the dismantlement. Strict regulation on safety, introduced after the disaster in Fukushima, made nuclear power generation extremely expensive. Power companies realized true cost of nuclear at last.

KEPCO had been planning to maintain the reactors number one and two in Mihama for sixty years, before revised Nuclear Reactors Regulation Act passed in the Diet last year. The act determined that life of a nuclear reactor to be forty years and a power company would need to introduce a great amount of asset investment for enhancing safety measures to extend the term. Two reactors in Mihama have already been over forty years old.

To keep those two reactors in operation, the company has to take special inspection for checking deterioration of devices. The result needs to be submitted to Nuclear Regulation Authority. Even if the reactors pass the special inspection, they need to pass application test for new regulation. Considering relatively little contribution of those old reactors to overall power generation, KEPCO will realize two reactors in Mihama as no use.

However, it also costs to dismantle old reactors. Fifty billion yen is supposed price for one reactor. Used nuclear fuel rods will also be a big problem, because there is no place in Japan for them to go. NRA needs to make new regulation for storing old fuel rods for over three hundred years. Since power companies have to capitalize special deficit stemming from the dismantlement on its balance sheet, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is creating new account rule for them.

Expecting supports from national government, the power companies in Kyushu, Chugoku and Shikoku also consider dismantling reactors. Seven reactors out of fifty in Japan will excess forty years old in July 2016. Maintaining them will be burden for power companies, which have already suffered from accumulation of excessive cost. They are eventually acknowledging the great impact of nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

On the other hand, the government takes a policy to allow resumption of halted nuclear reactors, which will be guaranteed as safe. The power companies believe that scrap-and-build will help their management improve. But, whether all reactors will pass safety test is highly unclear. There can be another new prediction of great earthquake, which may make NRA more careful. It is fair to say that nuclear power generation is already too expensive in this county.