The Fukushima Hysteria Has a Lesson for the Nuclear Renaissance
The extensive safety protocols around atomic power aren’t just cosmetic.
Storm in a teacup?
Photographer: Kimimasa Mayama/EPAJapan will today start discharging contaminated waste water from the abandoned Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. From the reaction across Asia, you’d think Tokyo was embarking on a program to poison the region’s water supplies.
Hong Kong will ban imports of seafood from 10 Japanese regions, and the city’s environment minister accused Japan of “dumping trash on its neighbors’ doorsteps.” China this week summoned Tokyo’s ambassador to “lodge solemn representations” opposing the plan, while the state-owned Global Times tabloid bizarrely invoked the prospect of a “real-life Godzilla,” the film monster which attacks Tokyo after being awakened by nuclear tests.