Historical Hype- 2014/05 - Nuclear Disaster in Japan

NEWSActive volcanoes near Japan nuclear reactor are safety threat – panel

A Japanese volcanologist has refuted early claims that two nuclear reactors stationed near a hotbed of volcanic activity were safe, stating that it is impossible to predict an eruption accurately outside the time span of a few days.

The Sendai nuclear power plant in southern Japan could quite easily be the source of a national disaster should a cauldron eruption take place at one of the surrounding volcanoes posing an immediate threat to the site, To****sugu Fujii, head of a government-commissioned panel on volcanic eruption prediction told a press briefing on Friday.

“It is simply impossible to predict an eruption over the next 30 to 40 years,” Fujii said. “The level of predictability is extremely limited.” He added that prediction can happen only in the space of hours or days.

His statements contradict those of nuclear regulators who last month said that the two Sendai nuclear reactors were functioning within the nuclear safety regulations laid out in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

They stated that there would be no eruption within the next 30 years – which is when the Sendai reactors reach the end of their lives.

Japan’s plans to restart the Sendai nuclear reactor won’t be affected by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Ontake, the government reassured at the end of September, when 30 people were killed and dozens injured.

“This was a steam-driven [eruption] and it has been said it was extremely difficult to predict,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference shortly afterwards. It is precisely this lack of predictability which is a cause for concern. Opponents of the nuclear restart gathered shortly afterwards to demonstrate against it.

“No one knows when natural disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis will strike. The fact that they could not predict the Mount Ontake eruption highlights that,” one organizer, Yo****aka Mukohara, told Reuters.

Heavy ash following eruption would make the plant difficult to reach and would impact Tokyo as well as the surrounding area.

Fujii concluded that 10cm thick ash could potentially render all vehicles – excluding tanks – inoperable. The sheer weight of ash on power lines could sever them and cut off electricity which could prevent the reactor cooling system from working.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is looking to restart both reactors along with any of the county’s other 46 which might be deemed safe as nuclear power is deemed key to Japanese economic recovery.

Even before the September disaster, Japanese nuclear revival was incurring the wrath of disgruntled citizens. Nuclear fears remain strong in Japan ever since the Fukushima disaster proved to be the second-worst in history after Chernobyl, with the decommissioning process expected to last for years to come.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

Saracen's Fez

Uruguay would like to see these nuclear liabilities decommissioned as soon as possible as we look for safer sources of power.

Reply 2

RotatingPhasor

China believes that Japan is full of a bunch of morons and should leave nuclear power to the big boys. China will be flying cargo planes over Japan that will drop leaflets showing the troll face and the words "u jel?".

Also China will continue to support nuclear power.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 3

serebro

Germany encourages Japan to delay any procedures until further research can confirm it is safe. Given our strong bond with Japan, we would also be willing to contribute to their research if need be.

Nevertheless we would like to draw Japan's attention to its significant potential for both tidal and wind power.

Reply 4

serebro

Original post by RotatingPhasor

Germany would like to point out that "u jel?" has no direct Chinese nor Japanese translation, and given the lack of English proficiency in both areas, it is unlikely to be understood.

Reply 5

RotatingPhasor

Original post by serebro

Germany would like to point out that "u jel?" has no direct Chinese nor Japanese translation, and given the lack of English proficiency in both areas, it is unlikely to be understood.

China would like to point out that a translation will be made.

Reply 6

serebro

Original post by RotatingPhasor

China would like to point out that a translation will be made.

Germany doubts that claim.

Reply 7

RotatingPhasor

Original post by serebro

Germany doubts that claim.

A quicky update - We will also being doing the same with Germany but with a German translation.

Reply 8

serebro

Original post by RotatingPhasor

A quicky update - We will also being doing the same with Germany but with a German translation.

Germany acknowledges this, but once again doubts it will come into fruition.

In the meantime, Germany awaits a response from Japan.

Reply 9

RotatingPhasor

Original post by serebro

Germany acknowledges this, but once again doubts it will come into fruition.

In the meantime, Germany awaits a response from Japan.

It has already been done.

Reply 10

McRite

Botswana supports Japan in its mission to declare the nuclear reactors safe, other than this moral backing we have nothing constructive to add. ~~However we find China's slang inappropriate in the context of the situation.~~

Reply 11

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

Both Sweden and Estonia take the view that this doesn't affect them in any way. :boring:

Reply 12

junior.doctor

Madagascar is concerned about this news and the massive implications of a potential nuclear disaster were these volcanoes to erupt. Madagascar urges Japan to invest in alternative forms of energy and to decommission these power stations as a matter of urgency.

Reply 13

Rick M

Argentina sees this issue as more of a domestic one. We have good faith in the Japanese Gov. and we would like to see a move away from nuclear energy in such a tectonically active country, towards other clean fuels.

Reply 14

Sena5

New Update

The 'ghost towns' of Fukushima

FIRST it was an earthquake. Then it was a tsunami. Now Japan fears another nuclear disaster — this time because of a stirring volcano.

The Japan Times has reported a sleeping volcano next to its already damaged Sendai nuclear power facility has woken, and is beginning to shake.

The new activity comes barely a month after the sudden and unexpected eruption of Mount Ontake killed 57 hikers enjoying its until-then scenic slopes.

Volcanologists have warned that the enormous magnitude 9.0 earthquake of March 2011 may have increased the likelihood of volcanic activity throughout Japan — which sits on the “Ring of Fire” band of more than 100 volcanoes which forms the Pacific Rim.

Now the signs appear to be proving them right.

The waking of Mount Ioyama on the island of Kyushu comes after a recent warning from a prominent Japanese volcanologist about the Sendai nuclear plant’s vulnerability.

A cauldron eruption at one of several volcanoes surrounding the Sendai nuclear power plant could hit the reactors and cause a nationwide disaster, said To****sugu Fujii, head of a government-commissioned panel on volcanic eruption prediction.

Mount Ioyama sits virtually next door to the power plant. In recent weeks it has started experiencing tremors, the Japanese Metrological Agency’s volcano bureau says.

The implications for restarting the repaired Sendai nuclear power plant are serious.

The spectre of the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which experienced a partial meltdown, continues to cause scandal and controversy.

A second such crisis would do irreparable damage to the industry.

Now Mount Ioyama has suddenly gone from the dormant end of the threat scale to the second-highest. This means the area around the crater can be regarded as dangerous, and that small-scale eruptions are likely.

Another volatile giant, Mount Sakurajima, sits some 40km from the Sendai facility. This is a very active volcano with frequent minor eruptions.