TOKYO, JAPAN — Thousands gather in opposition towards nuclear power throughout Japan. Despite having been a long advocate of civilian nuclear power, the March 11th Tohoku disaster and the consequential Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown lead to a shift in attitude towards Japan’s reliance on nuclear energy.
With only a few natural resources of its own, Japan has long been dependent of imports for its primary energy demands such as fossil fuel. More specifically, oil from the Middle East, but Japan has since then moved on to more domestic based energy productions such as nuclear energy. The benefits from the prospect of nuclear power paved the way for major nuclear construction programs. And already in 2009, nuclear power in Japan accounted for nearly 30% of the country’s total electricity production.
However, following the Fukushima accident, growing numbers of Japanese citizens have since protested for the stop of such developments and demanded for alternative resources. Large anti-nuclear demonstrations crowd the streets of Tokyo (Japan). Guest speakers ranging from political figures, scholars, musicians, to housewives and mothers made their voices heard over loud speakers as the crowd cheered in conjunction. The major organized groups of protestors and activists consists of the Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes, Stop Rokkasho, Sayonara Nuclear Power Plants, among many others. High-profile people such as Haruki Murakami, Kenzaburō Ōe, Nobuto Hosaka, Mizuho Fukushima, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tetsunari Iida have been associated with the anti-nuclear movement. Peaceful protestors wearing make-up and costumes parade through the extensive streets wielding signs as well as banners that read “No Nukes” and “Save Our Children”. Many chant “Genpatsu Yamero” which translates to “Stop Nuclear Power Plant”.
The struggle to bring change will take time, but it’s certain that with each protest, public awareness of nuclear energy grows. And while there is by no means a simple solution to end nuclear power plants in Japan, the issues and risks of keeping them are presented openly and clearly to both the Japanese people and the government. Especially now that more information of the incident and the severity of the damage has been leaked to the public. The issue now is to determine what steps can be made to compromise both parties.
The groups continue to hold demonstrations.