Post by Philip Neal on Aug 2, 2012 9:16:46 GMT -5
What We Know, and What We Have Not Yet Learned:
Triple Disasters and the Fukushima Nuclear Fiasco in Japan
By: Akira Nakamura Masao Kikuchi
Discussion Questions:
Question 1:
- Who is to blame for the nuclear power plant mismanagement at Fukushima that created the disaster?
----- The government?
----- TEPCO?
"Several political and administrative problems also have contributed to the present nuclear calamity in Japan. One major concern has been a lack of oversight: the government appears to have been too lax in its control of the electric power industry monopoly." (page 896, paragraph 8)
"TEPCO had emphasized that, in both design and operation, its nuclear generators were absolutely “fail safe.”...the facility was completely earthquake resistant...able to bear high tides and any tsunami as strong as the one that engulfed the area in 1960 following a major earthquake in Chile." (page 894, paragraph 6)
Question 2:
- Does the culture of Japan have anything to do with the disastrous events that occurred?
"What must be admitted – very painfully – is that this was a disaster “Made in Japan.” Its fundamental causes are to be found in the ingrained conventions of Japanese culture: our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority; our devotion to ‘sticking with the program’; our groupism; and our insularity."
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission.NAIIC. N.p., 5 July 2012. Web. <http://naiic.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/NAIIC_report_lo_res.pdf>.
Question 3:
Is it right that the government allocates money to communities in which nuclear reactors are constructed?
"In order to maintain facilities built with government largesse, they must invite further construction of even more reactors; otherwise, local taxes decline as a result of equipment depreciation. Eventually, this cycle will cause local communities to suffer financial collapse, unable to make ends meet." (page 898, paragraph 6)
Question 4:
- Is the link between government and businesses in Japan too strong?
----- Government employees often go on to work in energy companies after retiring from public service. Is this a clear conflict of interest?
"In what might be considered a flagrant conflict of interest in other democracies, in Japan, there are cases in which retired government bureaucrats in the nuclear regulatory agencies become employed by the electric power companies right after they leave office." (page 896, paragraph 7)
Question 5:
- Should Japan continue to endorse its nuclear program?
Question 6:
- Is there anything we can learn from Japan's mistakes?
----- Greater regulation over practices like fracking?
Triple Disasters and the Fukushima Nuclear Fiasco in Japan
By: Akira Nakamura Masao Kikuchi
Discussion Questions:
Question 1:
- Who is to blame for the nuclear power plant mismanagement at Fukushima that created the disaster?
----- The government?
----- TEPCO?
"Several political and administrative problems also have contributed to the present nuclear calamity in Japan. One major concern has been a lack of oversight: the government appears to have been too lax in its control of the electric power industry monopoly." (page 896, paragraph 8)
"TEPCO had emphasized that, in both design and operation, its nuclear generators were absolutely “fail safe.”...the facility was completely earthquake resistant...able to bear high tides and any tsunami as strong as the one that engulfed the area in 1960 following a major earthquake in Chile." (page 894, paragraph 6)
Question 2:
- Does the culture of Japan have anything to do with the disastrous events that occurred?
"What must be admitted – very painfully – is that this was a disaster “Made in Japan.” Its fundamental causes are to be found in the ingrained conventions of Japanese culture: our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority; our devotion to ‘sticking with the program’; our groupism; and our insularity."
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission.NAIIC. N.p., 5 July 2012. Web. <http://naiic.go.jp/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/NAIIC_report_lo_res.pdf>.
Question 3:
Is it right that the government allocates money to communities in which nuclear reactors are constructed?
"In order to maintain facilities built with government largesse, they must invite further construction of even more reactors; otherwise, local taxes decline as a result of equipment depreciation. Eventually, this cycle will cause local communities to suffer financial collapse, unable to make ends meet." (page 898, paragraph 6)
Question 4:
- Is the link between government and businesses in Japan too strong?
----- Government employees often go on to work in energy companies after retiring from public service. Is this a clear conflict of interest?
"In what might be considered a flagrant conflict of interest in other democracies, in Japan, there are cases in which retired government bureaucrats in the nuclear regulatory agencies become employed by the electric power companies right after they leave office." (page 896, paragraph 7)
Question 5:
- Should Japan continue to endorse its nuclear program?
Question 6:
- Is there anything we can learn from Japan's mistakes?
----- Greater regulation over practices like fracking?