Today, 15 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which devastated the northeast region of Japan. Greenpeace Japan extends heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families who are still suffering the aftermath of this catastrophe.
Sam Annesley, Executive Director of Greenpeace Japan, said:
Today marks 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. We honor the memory of those who lost their lives and offer our deepest sympathies to the survivors. Our hearts remain with the families and communities who have endured so much over the past 15 years.
On a Friday afternoon in early spring, the massive earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear disaster struck. The scale of devastation reported in the news left everyone fearing for the safety of their loved ones. The release of vast amounts of radioactive material compounded an already unprecedented catastrophe; it hindered evacuation, search, and rescue efforts in addition to irrevocably contaminating fertile land and water systems. It continues to disrupt countless lives to this day. We express our heartfelt respect to those who, from the day of the tragedy to the present day, have worked tirelessly toward decommissioning and regional recovery.
We must change the fundamental energy system that created such suffering and sacrifice. In recent years, the Japanese government has clarified its policy to return to nuclear power, amid an increasing number of approvals for reactor restarts. However, the "Nuclear Emergency Declaration," issued by the government on the day of the accident, has yet to be lifted, and no timeline for its cancellation has been publicised. To achieve the government's goals of energy security, carbon neutrality, power supply stability, and cost stability, it is essential to move away from nuclear power, promote energy efficiency, and transition to a society powered by 100% renewable energy.
From a security perspective, risks associated with nuclear power include the import of uranium, which Japan is 100% dependent on, and physical or cyber-attacks on facilities. While decarbonization is an urgent priority, constructing and commissioning new nuclear plants is not possible within the timeline we have to avert the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, the restart of existing plants is confronted by a plethora of extremely difficult challenges that remain unresolved: the physical safety of the facilities, the safety of hazard response workers, and evacuation routes to protect residents from radiation during complex disasters, such as simultaneous earthquakes and tsunamis. Furthermore, there is no strategy for the disposal of radioactive waste, even as it continues to accumulate from existing operations. Choosing nuclear power is the height of irresponsibility.
Nuclear power is also no longer a financially viable option. Currently, the most cost-competitive type of power generation in Japan is solar power, which utilizes domestic energy sources and is inexhaustible [1]. While photovoltaic cells are currently produced primarily overseas, approximately 70% of the total costs, including grid connection and construction, is handled by domestic companies, thereby contributing to the Japanese economy [2].
The narrative that highlights large-scale, centralized nuclear or fossil fuel plants as necessary to meet the expected increase in electricity consumption from electric vehicles and AI is short-sighted and inconsistent with the 1.5°C target. We must move beyond this outdated paradigm. Our starting point must be in leveraging renewable energy-an inexpensive, stable, and domestic power source that requires no fuel imports and emits no radioactive waste or greenhouse gases-for the sake of industrial competitiveness and local communities [3].
Japan is blessed with abundant renewable resources, including sunlight, wind, and water; there is vast potential to pursue energy efficiency while reducing costs. Greenpeace Japan calls on the government to prioritize the expansion of energy efficiency and sustainable renewables over nuclear power.
