Nuclear Power

How Many Constitutional Freedoms Have We Lost?

While the broader public's attention continues to be distracted by the circus that America's legislative and executive branches have become (an expected development at a time when the monetary branch reigns supreme), the real, non-scripted and truly devastating catastrophe continue to unfold in Japan, and specifically in Fukushima, where both TEPCO and the government have long since lost control of the worst nuclear disaster in history. However, in addition to the now usual daily spills of hundreds of tons of radioactive coolant into the environment, a potentially far more dangerous situation which may lead to an even greater loss of contaiment is taking place right now as both the destroyed nuclear plant and soon Tokyo are about to be buffeted by Typhoon Wipha - a "once in a decade storm."

It would be comical if it wasn't so tragic, and if for some inexplicable reason Japan hadn't been awarded the 2020 Olympics as a desperate measure to boost the economy with zero regard for the human cost. Following news of yet another radioactive spill taking place at Fukushima earlier this week, the latest in what is becoming a countless series if "incidents", overnight we learned that in the latest accident involving the exploded Fukushima nuclear power plant, which is now so very much out of control that even the government is considering removing Tepco from the containment effort, at least six workers were exposed to a leak of highly radioactive water on Wednesday, "the latest in a string of mishaps the country's nuclear watchdog has attributed to carelessness, saying they could have been avoided." They could have indeed, if only Japan were to formally recognize the severity of the catastrophe instead of constantly pushing it under the rug at a time when the only thing that matters for the successful, if ultimately doomed, implementation of Abenomics is the preservation of confidence at all costs.

The zero-nuclear option has a hugely popular and powerful backer in Shinzo Abe’s own party: former Prime Minister Koizumi

Turning over new leaves and all that stuff is great if you believe that your true nature can be changed. But, leopards rarely change their spots and Iranian spots are just as indelible as any others in the world. 

On Sept. 15, the last operational nuclear reactor in Japan was shut down for routine maintenance, which may leave Japan without nuclear power for the remainder of 2013. In all likelihood, restarting nuclear power will be a long, gradual process that will have only limited, regionalized impacts at first. In the meantime, Tokyo will continue to rely heavily on more expensive thermal power. The difference has meant that several utility companies have been forced to increase rates over the past several months, which are certainly impacting Abe's ability to hike taxes any further.

The always-truthful and ever-trustworthy Tokyo Electric Power Co. has released a statement that says "Typhoon Man-Yi caused no major damage at Fukushima." That's great news - if it's true - but the follow-up to that is perhaps a little more concerning. As Kyodo News reports, TEPCO has released the excess rainwater, that has collected between the barriers around radioactive storage tanks, into the ocean. We are reassured though, as officials stated that the level of radioactive substances in the accumulated rainwater was below allowable limits at 30 becquerels per liter (except The Tokyo Times reports some was emitting 170,000 becquerals per liter). All good then...

Oh, and a Typhoon Is about to Hit Fukushima

A month ago, when we quoted an independent expert that "TEPCO has lost control of Fukushima" many took offense, despite all signs to the contrary. Perhaps the skeptics will reevaluate their position following today's news reported by AFP, which cited Kazuhiko Yamashita, who holds the executive-level title of "fellow" at Tokyo Electric Power, who finally admitted what those not mired in prejudice about the state of nuclear energy refuse to accept, that the nuclear plant was "not under control." This promptly led to the government, which last weekend learned it would host the 2020 Olympics and promised that Fukushima would not be a concern by then, to scramble and "reassure people on Friday that they have a lid on Fukushima." Unfortunately, the lies, like the radiation in the plant, are now finally seeping through and more are becoming fully aware of just how serious the catastrophe truly is, and drove yet another steak through the heart of the official narrative by Prime Minister Abe as they "flatly contradict" his assurances.

As if the "developed" world did not have enough things to worry about, moments ago VOA's Steve Herman reported that the radioactive problem in Japan, the country hosting the 2020 summer olympics, continues to deteriorate uncontrollably, and citing Jiji, said that Tepco revealed tritium levels in the Fukushima groundwater have just surged to a new high.

Japan commissioned the country's first nuclear power plant in 1966 and nuclear power has been a staple of the country's energy strategy since the 1970s. But when the last active reactor at the Ohi plant shuts down for scheduled maintenance on Sept. 15, Japan will be without nuclear power for the first time since May 2012.

First it was "contained." Then we found out there was a "small leak." Then, after numerous media reports confirmed it, Japan admitted there was "a big leak," which only became bigger with time. Then the severity level of Fukushima was raised from level 1 to level 3, the highest since the March 2011 disaster. And now it is many leaks. According to AP, "Japan's top nuclear regulator raised safety concerns Monday about hastily built storage tanks and their foundations at the damaged Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant after signs of new leaks of radioactive water. The latest leak was found over the weekend in a connecting pipe. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., said it suspects there may also have been leaks from three storage tanks because elevated radioactivity was detected near them. The levels were not considered deadly." Oh so it was not the 1.8 sieverts/hour reported over the weekend? Maybe in the case the honorable Prime Minister can take a big swig from the supposedly undeadly water.

Deluxe onegai!

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#TEPCO: "It can't be denied" there could be several fresh radioactive water leaks at #Fukushima-1. Doses up to 1800 mSv/hr detected on site.

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 31, 2013