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Environment
Demonstrators in Tokyo Insist Japan be Nuclear Free
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tokyo- (PanOrient News)
Japanese anti-nuclear demonstrators took to the streets in Tokyo on Saturday demanding their government close nuclear power plants and turn toward clean energy.
Hundreds of demonstrators with memories of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown plant as a result of March 2011 Quake and Tsunami, marched to the government offices, central Tokyo,
Labor Unions and other peace and anti-nuclear organizations sponsored the Saturday demonstration where participants shouted "We are against nuclear energy".
"No Nukes For the Future of our Children" shouted the demonstrators who held placards demanding, “Let's build a Society where children can feel safe", and "The problem is not solved yet. Let's create a society without nuclear power plants".
Other signs demanded, "Protect children from radiation" and said Japan should adopt green and solar power "For our cute grandchildren".
The most popular logo held by demonstrators was "Goodbye nuclear power plants. We don't need Nuclear Power plants."
"Let the Japanese voters decide what to do with the nuclear plants" one demonstrator said. "We don't want to be scared anymore by radiation" he shouted while a little boy was riding his shoulders.
In reality, Japan is close to zero nuclear energy for its energy mix. Tokyo Electric Power Co. is set to begin a regular checkup on its last running nuclear reactor on Monday (March 26) before suspending its operations. The move will leave only one among 54 commercial reactors in Japan in service.
Many utility companies cannot restart idled units due to lingering safety concerns in the wake of the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant last year despite completed maintenance checks.
From March 26, the No. 3 reactor at Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s Tomari plant became the only reactor in operation, but it is also scheduled to be closed for regular inspections in early May. The shutdown of all of Japan's reactors will become a reality if no nuclear plants are brought back online after May.
The government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, however, expressed intention to continue Japan's dependence on nuclear energy while stressing that safety measures will be enhanced.
PanOrient News
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