Category: Social-Nuclear

[Mr. Ryusaku Tanaka] Environment Minister Ishihara Avoids Appointing Reporter Who Grills Him at Press Conference

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It is Mr. Yoshiki Kamide that is the reporter in the news.  I’d like to remember his name.  Just the sight of his picture makes me find that he is a fine person.

Masatoshi Takeshita
January 17, 2013


English translation of a Japanese article: Ryusaku Tanaka Journal – January 15, 2013 –

Environment Minister Ishihara Avoids Appointing Reporter Who Grills Him at Press Conference

Environment Minister Isihara who has difficulty in
 answering a question of a freelancer
In the Environment Ministry on 15th morning.  Photo by Tanaka


Government agencies ignore distasteful questions in collusion with politicians.  The press club that usually brandishes the public’s right to know won’t make an issue of it.

At the time of the LDP government (until 2009 when the JDP took power) press conferences held with ministers were controlled by the administration due to the cozy relations between the administration and the media.  After the LDP took back the power, a press conference in the Environment Ministry seems to be returning to the original state: it was open to the public.

It is reflected by the response of the Environment Ministry and Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara over the “slipshod clean-up work” reported by the Asahi Shimbun in its morning paper on 4th.

A reporter of the Asahi Shimbun with an aim to write a sequel repeatedly raised his hand at a press conference on 11th.  However, he was never appointed.  It would be the case with a freelancer, but the reporter is a member of the press club.  It is apparently abnormal that he was not chosen as a questioner.

The Environment Ministry budgeted one trillion 108.8 billion yen as the clean-up expenses for 2012 alone.  If “sloppy work” is found in a project which a lot of money has been invested in, the Environment Ministry is to be blamed for it.  The Environment Minister, chief executive, is naturally placed in a more difficult situation.

For the public relations office, a facilitator of a press conference (in charge of appointing reporters), and the ministry, it is “crisis management” not to make reporters inquire about the slipshod clean-up issue.

The public relations office has an instinctive character that “they should protect the minister.”

“You stand in the between the minister office and the reporter (of Asahi).  You’re in a tough situation, aren’t you?” this writer asked the public relations office chief such a leading question.  “Can’t you understand?” he said while scratching his head.

Strangely, other press club members never care that a colleague has been ignored.  It cannot be helped if a reporter is not appointed next time when the reporter wants to grill the minister. What misfortune befalls on others today might happen to them tomorrow.  It is not too much to say that the cozy relations among government agencies, politicians and the press club have prevented the public from knowing truth.

Mr. Yoshiki Kamide, a freelancer, opened a crack in this at today’s press conference.  “Although a reporter of Asahi desperately raised his hand at the previous press conference, he was not appointed.  Minister Ishihara seemed to avoid doing so.  The minister should achieve accountability for the public.” Reporter Kamide grilled him.

Minister Ishihara unconvincingly explained himself, saying “I have to answer questions of many reporters within limited time frame.  I have a sense of crisis toward CO2 issue.”  He just repeated empty phrases in pain because he was stuck for an answer.

He himself says “I have to answer questions of many reporters.”  Then, why did he exclude the reporter of Asahi alone?


 “The minister should achieve accountability.”  Yoshiki Kamide, a freelancer, (person on the left with a microphone) grills Mr. Ishihara.  = Photo by Tanaka =


A reporter of NHK, the coordinator of the press club, asked a question, using the word “improper clean-up” not “slipshod clean-up.”  He said “As for the slipshod clean-up work issue, have you found another improper clean-up work after questioning subcontractors?”

Minister Ishihara answered: “Clean-up work is the foundation of reconstruction.  ………… We will work out a policy after carefully examining whether there has been improper clean-up work or not.”  It appears that the press club coordinator asked the minister a question which he was able to answer confidently.

[Soon Northern Wind Will Blow] Entertainers and Highly-Educated People, Proponents of Nuclear Power, Flocking around TEPCO

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At present, deities are watching over all people and checking action of each individual.
It is only one sincere person among 1000 people that can survive.
Fools who have been sorted out will suffer a miserable end.
This is no joke.  CIA staffers, you know that many of your colleagues are actually missing, don’t you?

Masatoshi Takeshita
January 10, 2013




English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Soon Northern Wind Will Blow – January 7, 2013 –

Entertainers and Highly-Educated People, Proponents of Nuclear Power, Flocking around TEPCO


Highly-educated people, who are supporters of nuclear power, electric companies and related organizations have been utilizing many celebrities as billboards to get publicity for “safety” of nuclear power and improve its image.

In what way has the Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPCO) led by TEPCO bought up public opinion by using a huge amount of money?  In what way have easy-going entertainers and highly-educated people made the safety myth of nuclear power known to the public?

One example is a case of Antonio Inoki who gave support to a candidate in Aomori gubernatorial election. According to the book “Desperate Confession of Secretary of Diet Member” (published by Kodanshan) by Kumiko Sato, a former secretary of Inoki, at first Inoki intended to support a candidate, an advocate of suspension of nuclear power use, who had asked Inoki to support him in exchange of a 1.5 million yen reward.  And then, however, the FEPCO, which was behind another candidate, an advocate of promotion of nuclear power use, offered to pay him 100 million yen.  Inoki quickly paid back 1.5 million yen to the former candidate to switch over to the latter candidate.

This is a dirty trick as if a cheek were flapped with a bundle of notes.  Even Jinzaburo Takagi, a diehard opponent of nuclear power, was done this trick on.

Takagi’s “I Live as Citizen Scientist” (published by Iwanami Shinso) reads that he was asked by a chief editor of a nuclear power information magazine to preside over an energy policy study group as the editor had 300 million yen offered.  Takagi noted that “300 million yen would be worth around 10 billion yen in today’s currency.”  The amount 100 million yen offered to Inoki would be manyfold as high now.

Tale-bearers of Safety Myth of Nuclear Power Plants

I criticized Main Kouda, a writer, for working cooperatively for an electric company ad.  She justified herself by saying that she had not received much money.

She also becomes a member of NHK management committee probably due to Heizo Takenaka’s recommendation.  The writer who has no philosophy is very convenient to the electric company as an ornament.

Susumu Nishibe, a critic, was invited to a symposium sponsored by an electric company and said that scientifically speaking, there is no absolute guarantee of safety of nuclear power plants.  He says with a laugh that he has never been invited again since then.

In a word, nuclear power supporter entertainers and highly-educated people who are invited by electric companies are considered to be people who are believers of “absolute safety.”

The biggest tale-bearer of safety myth is Kenshi Hirokane, a cartoonist, followed by Kenichi Mogi and Takeshi Yorou, who have gained publicity as brain scientists.

Yorou is an author of a bestselling book “The Walls of Fools.”  I suspect that he himself is “the wall of fool.”  As for Hirokane, he drew illustrations of you-know-Kousaku Shima for “Evening paper Fuji” on March 19, in which he sent to the afflicted people and workers at Fukushima nuclear power plants a message “Please never give up and do get through a difficult situation.”

However, “cheers” of Hirokane, who has trumpeted the safety of nuclear power plants, simply make the people evacuated from Fukushima nuclear power plants feel like vomiting.

Unbelievably abusive remarks of Takeshi

Kazuyo Katsuma appeared on a live TV show “Live TV until the morning!” at the end of March and said that there is more coverage on the nuclear power plant accident than on the earthquake, which became a controversial issue.  She also appeared in a commercial for Chubu Electric Company.
She has revealed her true character.  Far more sinful than nuclear entertainers in recent years are so-called “forerunners” such as Kenichi Omae, Taichi Sakaiya and Beat Takeshi (Takeshi Kitano).  Well, Katsuma respects Omae and has aimed to be “female Omae.”  As for Takeshi, his brother Masaru Kitano and his disciples Asakusa Kids are also proponents of nuclear power plants.


Although he is a comedian, we cannot laugh with Takeshi’s remarks now after the nuclear power plant accident due to the earthquake.

In the 2010 June issue of “Shincho 45” Takeshi repeatedly has a talk with Shunsuke Kondo (emeritus professor of Tokyo University), chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, where Takeshi makes unbelievably abusive remarks.

“People who criticize nuclear power plants quickly say “what will happen if an earthquake breaks out and nuclear reactor is destroyed.”  This means that conversely, electric companies should be more careful about nuclear power plants than about any other facility so that they can endure possible earthquakes.  Therefore, if an earthquake breaks out, it is safest to run to a power plant (laugh).  However, wolf criers who give a cry against “danger” of new technology are received more well by the media.”  Why didn’t Takeshi give a try to assure whether he was “well received” or not?

If he thinks that a power plant is the safest place to run to, Takeshi had better run to the nuclear power plant in Fukushima now.  Kondo, who is supposed to be an expert, gave a terrible response, but it is impossible to restrain Takeshi from going out of control.  The following remarks he gave make me completely speechless.

“Some people still oppose to nuclear power plants, but such people never say that we should not take a ride in a car in view of annual death toll from traffic accidents.  This is because it is convenient to use a car.  Although we tend to mention only risks of nuclear power plants, actually we live in the society filled with more danger.  The odds are far greater that we would be stabbed by a pervert (laugh).

I was surprised to see Antonio Inoki appear in a CM for Japan Advertising Council or AC, which was suddenly often seen, and warn against being deceived by erroneous information.

They Have No skill to Sell, So Sell Themselves

Kiyoshi Nakahata, a native of Fukushima, who appeared in a CM for TEPCO, says that he has been deceived by TEPCO.  It made me laugh.  Unlike Tsunehiko Watase, Ryoko Moriyama and Kumiko Okae, entertainers, and Senichi Hoshino, a baseball player, Haruo Kitamura and Hiroko Sumita, lawyers, who appear on a TV program “Law Centers with many people queuing up,” Sakuji Yoshimura, a university professor, Hisayuki Miyake, a self-claimed pundit, Jin Kusano, Eiko Oya and Hiroko Kiba who identifies herself as a newscaster are far more sinful.

Although Kumi Fujisawa, an investment consultant, often appears in an advertisement for FEPCO in a weekly magazine “Bungei Shunju,” she says that she’ like to “hold from making a comment” on nuclear power plants.

There was a period when it was the spirit of geisha to sell skill but not chastity.  I wonder if “nuclear geishas” listed here have sold their chastity because they had no skill to sell.  They have no sense of shame.  In addition, there are 180 entertainers who appeared in a CM for nuclear power.  Most of them are entertainers.

[Mr. Ichiro Iiyama] Tokyo University is Mistress of Nuclear Power Old Man

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It appears that the world including Japan will face difficult times.  Mr. Iiyama’s sense of humor is really great.  It is very important in an era of survival to feel relaxed even under a worst-case situation.

Masatoshi Takeshita
January 4, 2013

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English translation of a Japanese article: Ichiro Iiyama’s Little HP – January 3, 2013 –

Tokyo University is Mistress of Nuclear Power Old Man

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Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Electricity Industry Contributes JPY 1.7 Billion to 8 National Universities Addressing Nuclear Power Research

Eight national universities including Tokyo University, Tohoku University and Nagoya University engaged in nuclear power-related research had received a total amount of approximately JPY 1.744 billion for five years until FY 2011 from the electricity/nuclear power industry including nuclear fuel processing companies.  This has been revealed on 3rd by each university’s response to Kyodo News Service’s request for information disclosure.

Destination of the contributions the universities accepted was designated.  Most of the contributions went to researchers of nuclear power engineering.

Among them were researchers who participate in the Nuclear Regulation Authority meetings where new safety standards of nuclear power plants are discussed.

“As it threatens to affect national safety control, thorough verification is required,” specialists protest.

(Kyodo)

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Around March 11, 2011, a flood of dubious people called Tokyo University professors appeared on TV programs, and took advantage of authority and said knowingly “Don’t worry!  Our reactor containment vessel is the strongest in the world!” or “Radiation dose is lower than the dose exposed when we make a flight to and from New York!”  They all had received pocket money.  A “bakase”* not “hakase or doctor”, self-claimed graduate of Tokyo University, triumphantly talked a lot with a proud look; “It is OK even to eat radiation! The government talks nonsense.  It is all right to have children live in Iidate village and play in the schoolyard!”

(Note) * the derogatory way of saying ‘hakase’ in Japanese

However, he has lost credibility because what he talked about was too terrible.  I hear that he is making a fuss about filing a defamation suit against me, Ichiro Iiyma to clear his name.  I hope that he will start a suit as soon as possible.

As there are a lot of countermeasures available for me, I want to make a swaggering pose by slandering his “credibility” in court, but rather I want to take vengeance on him for my relatives and friends who have been  exposed to radiation because they believed him.  This is my true feelings. 

[Kaleidoscope] Threat of High Incidence of Cardiac Disease among Children in Fukushima! #Impact of Cesium! Dr. Basby Warns (video with Japanese subtitles)

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Dr. B has given the following warning to us from early on.  People split over this warning.  Some listen to him, but others never listen to him.
Watching Dr. Basby on the screen, however, I see him emitting very beautiful light from all over the body.  This proves that he never tells a lie.
People who are poor judges of character accept as information only what is well suited for them and ignore the rest of it.  Such people will not understand that they have been deceived by the government before their children develop the disease Dr. B has given a warning on.  Although such people one-sidedly blame the government for its fault without admitting their faults, not a small number of people seem to get what they deserve.  They seem to have no idea that their present action will determine their future.

Masatoshi Takeshita
January 3, 2013


English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Kaleidoscope – January 2, 2013 –


Evacuation from the Tokyo metropolitan areas – Is it fine to stay living in Tokyo?

Threat of High Incidence of Cardiac Disease among Children in Fukushima! #Impact of Cesium!  Dr. Basby Warns (video with Japanese subtitles)




In case that this video has been deleted, please view the video of Heart Attack of Children in Fukushima by Dr. Basby .

Dr. Basby has also given a warning about the possibility of birth of babies with congenital malformation (posted on my blog October 26, 2011), which is regarded as taboo in Japan.

[J-CAST] “NUKE IS OVER” Seen on Screen of “Kohaku” – Kazuyoshi Saito’s Performance Attracts Attention on Twitter

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Information from Mr. Masatoshi Takeshita and our readers posted on his blog – January 1, 2013 –
  
I’d like to applaud Mr. Kazuyoshi Saito and the resistant forces of NHK personnel.  I also admire Mr. Mad Amano’s brilliant insight.  With the start of a new year, I feel as if I saw a light.

Masatoshi Takeshita
January 1, 2013


English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: News US – January 1, 2013 –

“NUKE IS OVER” Seen on Screen of “Kohaku” -   Kazuyoshi Saito’s Performance Attracts Attention on Twitter


 On December 31, 2012, Mr. Kazuyoshi Saito, a singer, appeared on a TV program “Kohaku Utagassen”* with a guitar.  A phrase of “NUKE IS OVER” written on the strap he put on the guitar is becoming popular on Twitter.

(Note) *Annual singing contest held on New Year’s Eve, sponsored and broadcast by the NHK



Comments on Twitter: “Well done!” or “I am concerned if his behavior might cause trouble.”

This is the first appearance on the program for Mr. Saito.  When introduced before starting his performance, he answered quietly “I feel like a fish out of water.”  He sang a song “I want to be kindhearted,” a theme song of a TV drama.

Although the lyrics of the song had no relation with nuke, a phrase “NUKE IS OVER” written on the strap of his guitar was visible on the TV screen, too.

Mr. Saito has maintained his stance against nuke.  After changing the lyrics of his hit song “I have been in love with you” into those for an anti-nuke song “It has been lie” in April 2011, Mr. Saito sang the song personally, which was uploaded on YouTube and attracted great public attention.

Audience who watched the TV program was quick to respond to it on twitter.  There are responses in favor of him such as “Natural message, terrific!” and “Really awesome!  It’s Rock music sticking to his claim.”  On the other hand, some people question his behavior, saying “Is this acceptable?  I am concerned if his behavior might cause him a trouble later.”

Source: J-CAST News


[Mr.Naoto Amaki] Advocators of denuclearization, rally together for Town Mayor Idogawa!

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I wonder what the town assembly members who voted non confidence against Mayor Idogawa would do when their children or grandchildren are adversely affected by radiation in years to come.
How can human beings act as a tool of the bad, yielding to the temptation of immediate profits?
I have thought that law should require half of lawmakers to be women, but it might not be good.  This is because most of people who desire to be lawmakers are greedy, regardless of gender.

Masatoshi Takeshita
December 21, 2012

Naoto Amaki - a former Japanese diplomat


 English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Blog of Amaki Naoto – December 21, 2012 –


Advocators of denuclearization, rally together for Town Mayor Idogawa!


Katsutaka Idogawa, town mayor of Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, was voted non-confidence unanimously in the town council on December 20, 2012.

It is not unusual that a town head is voted non-confidence in the town council.

The head must have a quarrel with the town council again in a small town of Fukushima.  However, unanimous consent is quite unusual.  The town mayor must have done something extremely wrong.

Such a small article must be read in this way without attracting a lot of attention from people.

However, that is not true.

This incidence has a symbolic meaning that advocators of denuclearization in this country will be expelled or eliminated one after another.

Mayor Idogawa is one of the few heads who have accused the government of taking no countermeasures against radiation contamination in Futaba and continued encouraging the residents to evacuate the town to save their life.

He resolved to go to Geneva, where he tried to make known to the world the relief of exposed residents and the incompetence of the Japanese government in the UN Commission on Human Rights.

The media that did not report about Mayor Idogawa’s words and deeds in Geneva don’t try to report about him correctly now.

As you know, the government has consistently discouraged evacuation of the residents in Fukushima Prefecture to hide the seriousness of the Fukushima accident from the people.  It has tried to cope with radiation contamination by spending a huge amount of money and energy for decontamination.

The government has plotted together with the local government.  They take skillful advantage of the sentiment of residents who cannot abandon their hometowns.

Of course, vested interests and money are involved behind this problem.

Advocators of denuclearization should rally together in Futaba town, Fukushima, and appeal for reelection of Mayor Idogawa.  Unless realizing it, they are deceitful.

It is fine to voice objections against restarting nuclear power plants in front of the Diet building.  It is fine to promote development of new energy.  It is fine to sue TEPCO.  It is fine to chant a slogan of denuclearization in the election.

However, what matters most in the issue of nuclear power is relief of exposed residents and compensation to them.  To this end, we have to fight against the oppression of state power.  We have to confront the bureaucracy, an executor of power.

Just now with a defeat in the general election of political parties which advocated abandonment of nuclear power, politics is about to head in the direction of maintaining it at once.

The non-confidence motion on Mayor Idogawa has been passed right on cue, which seems to symbolize this move.

Advocators of denuclearization after the general election should start fighting here.

[Statement of Associate Professor Shimoji] Why do the police create lies to arrest me? The reason is I am participating in citizens groups protesting the re-start of nuclear power plants and the further spread of radiation.

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I feel another hero has appeared.  Reading this statement, you will find that the arrest of Associate Professor Shimoji was unlawful and he is a decent and intellectual person.  This unjust arrest, on the contrary, makes us know that the ruling class has been driven into a corner.
Fools who side with the ruling class have to prepare to be ruined unless they change their attitude and take a conscientious action.  I am writing this kind of thing because there are some people who barely have soul.

Masatoshi Takeshita
December 16, 2016

Masaki Shimoji

English translation of an excerpt of a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu - December 15, 2012 –


Statement of Hannan University Associate Professor Shimoji, 
who was arrested at his home and has been detained 

  (He wants this statement to be delivered to as many people as possible); from member of “Osaka Declaration Group”

<Comment of group member>

This is a statement of Masaki Shimoji, associate professor at Hannan University.  The other day he was suddenly arrested by the police who came to his house and confiscated a total 129 item goods including PC and passbooks.  He has been engaged in a movement to protest against accepting earthquake debris by Osaka municipal government.

Associate Professor Shimoji requests us to deliver this statement to as many people as possible.

==============================

*We have received a statement of Associate Professor Shimoji unfairly under detention.*

(So in original)

What is written in my arrest warrant is untrue.  I am totally shocked that the police, who witnessed my actions that are the basis for my arrest, have created completely false statements.  Why do the police created lies in order to arrest me?  The reason is I am participating in citizens groups protesting the re-start of nuclear power plants and the further spread of radiation (through disaster area debris incineration).  In particular, I have criticized the unlawful conduct by police that I have come across through my participation in this movement.  I have not done anything wrong.

Japan and the world we live in is an extremely dangerous place.  The nuclear disaster of Fukushima is not under control, and should the spent fuel pool in reactor no. 4 collapse, the consequences would be catastrophic for not only Japan but the world as well.  Nothing has been done to deal with nuclear fallout, as food and other products continue through the distribution system.  Not only that, a campaign claiming “we don’t have enough electricity” is being waged, and use of nuclear energy is still being promoted.  This is sheer madness.

In the coming 6 to 12 months, the policies implemented by the government will determine our future.  Looking at the faces of my students on a daily basis who are about 20 years old, I think about what kind of world they will live in when in 20 years they reach the same age as me.  Each time I do, I regret that those of us of the older generation were unable to prevent the nuclear disaster.  The young are not responsible.  If anything, I want to work toward leaving an even somewhat better place for them.  The disaster has already happened and there is no much time left.  But there is hope.

Now, I cannot act but I have not given up.  I have been able to deliver this statement despite my detention.  And if enough people act and raise their voices, we might be in time.  I especially call on other university educators, doctors, scientists, and all those who are considered to be ‘specialists’: Lear from those citizens who appear to be “uneducated or emotional.”  Their voices remain unheard and ignored; speak out so their concerns can be heard.

The truth will show itself through a process of critique and dialogue.  Stand on the side of those who oppose and act so that the truth will be known, by taking to task the government and those wielding power.  You may make errors, and that is all right.  Always stand on the side of those with less power and support them.  Even if they make mistakes, use your authority to get to the truth when dealing with those in power.  It doesn’t matter what your field is; have the courage to speak out.

Finally, I address the issue that I have been most deeply involved; the debris from disaster areas.  The city of Osaka forcefully began experimental incineration of such debris at the end of November and continues preparation for the full implementation beginning in February of next year.  As I have repeatedly said, the wide-spread incineration throughout Japan of disaster debris will not benefit anyone.  Budget funding earmarked for the reconstruction of disaster areas will be funneled off for such incineration, hampering progress on reconstruction.  Radiation will be scattered, those living in affected areas will be forced to endure living in contaminated conditions, and the responsibilities of TEPCO will be lightened.  We will pay for this with our lives and that of our children and those who are yet born.  Such an irresponsible policy should not be allowed.  We must stop this.  Those of you who have studied and fought together, do not give up and continue to fight.  For those of you who were not know about the debris incineration issue, learn more and lend us a hand.  This is a fight to save our future.

I do not know when I will be released, but I will return at some point.  Even if I’m not visible, I am with you in spirit.  As for the others who were also unfairly arrested, I’m sure they feel the same way.  I look forward to seeing you again.

December 12, 2012  Masaki Shimoji

*Note) Font color changed into red in some parts for emphatic expression 

[Sankei Shimbun] Nuclear Reactor at Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant Likely to be Decommissioned – Shock to Kansai Electric Power Company

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Please stop operating as many nuclear reactors as possible.  Please decommission them.
Masatoshi Takeshita
December 11, 2012


Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant
( Fukui Prefecture in Japan )


English translation of a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu – December 11, 2012 –
Source: Sankei Shimbun – December 10, 2012 at 21:31)


Nuclear Reactor at Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant Likely to be Decommissioned – Shock to Kansai Electric Power Company
Infoseek Rakuten News


The fracture zone directly beneath the Tsuruga nuclear power plant (Fukui Prefecture) operated by the Japan Atomic Power Co. (JAPCO) has almost concluded to be an active fault and it is likely that the nuclear reactor there will be decommissioned.  This news has posed a quite a shock to electric power companies including Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO).  This is because the KEPCO and other power companies have used the Tsuruga plant as power supply source and also have spent a vast amount of money on the operation and maintenance of the plant.  It is pointed out that the fracture zones beneath the sites of both Oi and Mihama nuclear power plants (Fukui Prefecture) operated by KEPCO and the Shiga nuclear power plant by Hokuriku Electric Power Company are also likely to be active faults.  Therefore, the possibility that reactors at these plants will be decommissioned, which depends on the decision of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), cannot be ruled out.

Revenue from power rates the JAPCO receives from electric power companies is composed of the ‘basic charge’ for operation and maintenance of the nuclear power plant and the ‘meter rate’ varying based on electric supply.  Revenue for 2010 from KEPCO alone amounted to 42.5 billion yen.  As for revenue for 2011, it reached 34 billion yen, which accounted for 8.4 percent of total payment for electricity purchased by KEPCO, in spite of the suspension of No. 1 and No. 2 reactors at the Tsuruga nuclear power plant.

As KEPCO expected to receive electric power from the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in the future, President Shosuke Mori told a press conference at the Kansai Economic Federation to call for restarting the plant, saying “KEPCO has paid a considerable amount of fixed costs and naturally wants to receive enough electricity commensurate with such payment.”

On the other hand, as the fracture zone beneath the Tsuruga plant has been almost concluded to be an active fault, power companies beneath which there may be active faults are seriously scared about future survey.

On-site survey is slated for 13th and 14th this month in five nuclear power plants including the Totsu nuclear power plant operated by Tohokoku Electric Power Company (Aomori Prefecture).  As for the fracture zone beneath the site of Totsu plant, Professor Mitsuhisa Watanabe, Toyo University (specialist of geomorphology) points out that “the zone is considered to be an active fault by most definitions.”  It is pointed out that the faults beneath the sites of KEPCO’s Mihama nuclear plant and the Monju fast-breeder reactor (Fukui Prefecture) and the active faults beneath the neighborhood area will be activated together.

An additional survey of the fracture zone at the site of Oi nuclear power plant where No. 3 and No.4 reactors are in operation will be made by NRA’s research team of experts on 28th and 29th this month.  KEPCO comments “we would like to explain it is not an active fault” but if it is judged to be an active fault, operation of No. 3 and No. 4 reactors is highly likely to be suspended.


[Ms. Nobuyo Yagi] Patriotism, Nuclear Power Generation and TPP

Normal 0 10 pt 0 2 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE $([{£¥‘“〈《「『【〔＄（［｛｢￡￥ !%),.:;?]}¢°’”‰′″℃、。々〉》」』】〕゛゜ゝゞ・ヽヾ！％），．：；？］｝｡｣､･ﾞﾟ￠
Ms. Yagi uses the word ‘patriotic’ instead of ‘patriot.’  She has a way with words.  I am not a patriot, either, but I think I could call myself patriotic.
I’d like to define as patriots those who are narrow-minded enough to think that Japan alone is an important country.
Strange enough, so-called patriots are those who work for U.S. for some reason as the country wants them to do.  I understand that it means that such people can easily be caught with the bait of money and power.

Masatoshi Takeshita
December 9, 2012

Nobuyo Yagi - Vocalist & Writer
Photo from Official Biografy

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Nobuyo Yagi’s Monologue – December 9, 2012 –


Patriotism, Nuclear Power Generation and TPP

Please don’t misunderstand me.  I am patriotic.
I am good at cooking Japanese cuisine and love Japanese national costume ‘kimono’, which I often wear in wintertime.

Then, why do I, a patriotic person, oppose nuclear power generation and TPP?  Needless to say, nuclear power plants have not only damaged the beautiful nature of Japan and its safety on an incomparably larger scale than the Senkaku Islands and Takeshima Island issues but carry a finite risk in the future.  This is the biggest reason.  With regard to opposition to TPP, I don’t simply speak for Japan Agricultural Cooperatives.  Of course, issues on mixed treatment (treatment partially covered by insurance) and ISDS (Investor State Dispute Settlement) are not negligible, but the biggest problem is that introduction of TPP will devastate Japan’s rice farming.

As I spend a couple months a year in Mexico, I know well that California rice is very cheap, one-fifth the price of Japanese rice, and is not of poor quality.  If conclusion of TPP results in import of California rice, even though by gradual process, Japan’s rice can’t win.

In 1994, Mexico signed the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) with the U.S. with great fanfare.  At that time Mexico greatly expected the agreement to create a big economic growth in the country.  Compared with the U.S., labor costs are overwhelmingly lower and agricultural products are cheaper in Mexico.  Mexico expected that they would be able to export their agricultural products and other products to the U.S., which would work to the benefit to the U.S.
And needless to say, this fell far short of their expectations.

Most Mexican agricultural products, almost everything but tomatoes and some fruits, was exploited by the U.S.  Even the corn, Mexican staple, for which self-sufficient ratio was 100 percent and which was considered rather as exports, (whose free trade, as you might expect, was not allowed at first for the reason that the corn is the staple food of Mexico, the foundation of the country, but later liberalization of the corn market was gradually carried out), have lost ground to American corns with a decline in self-sufficient ration to some 60 percent.

Why is the corn produced in Mexico with advantage of far more cheaper land cost and labor cost defeated in price competition by that produced in the U.S.?  Compared with small-scale farming in Mexico, American farmers not only grow corns like industrial products mass-produced on a large scale but also are subsidized by the U.S. government to make international corn prices cheaper than Mexican corn price.  This subsidy system caused Mexican corns to be defeated in competitiveness.

It can be said to be the way in which so-called big super market has a special sale with the slogan of slashed price immediately after expanding its business to destroy retailed businesses in the neighborhood.
In a word, Mexico was trapped.

Additionally, most of distributors in Mexico have been bought out by Walmart.  The work force has been changed into temporary workers and the disparity between the rich and the poor has been wider.  Finally, as a result of insecurity and aggravated conflict among mafias, many civilians have got involved in drug wars.

Looking back, Japanese rice is already expensive.  If the government introduces measures for deregulation without subsidizing farmers, it is perfectly clear that rice farming in Japan will be devastated in no time.
What will happen then?
It is not only an emotional problem that we will lose our culture (though it is also an important problem).
This is a problem on what we think about the fact that it is highly likely that we will depend on the U.S. for almost 100 percent of staple food in ten years’ time.

I can’t help wondering why people who call themselves conservatives or patriots could be indifferent to this problem which is strategically and diplomatically important.

[Mr. Kazuhide Uekusa] Let’s Decide to Immediately Abolish Nuclear Power Generation for Future of Japan

Normal 0 10 pt 0 2 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE $([{£¥‘“〈《「『【〔＄（［｛｢￡￥ !%),.:;?]}¢°’”‰′″℃、。々〉》」』】〕゛゜ゝゞ・ヽヾ！％），．：；？］｝｡｣､･ﾞﾟ￠
Every sentence of Mr. Uekusa is very clear and the point of his argument is well organized.  I think that unlike Mr. Mitsuhashi, Mr. Uekusa clearly understands what is important.

Masatoshi Takeshita
December 6, 2012



English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: “Unknown Truth” by Kazuhide Uekusa – December 2, 2012 –


Let’s Decide to Immediately Abolish Nuclear Power Generation for Future of Japan


The three issues in the coming election are on nuclear power generation, consumption tax and TPP & Osprey.

The issue emerging as the most important one is a nuclear policy: whether to abolish nuclear power generation or to maintain it, or whether to approve restarting nuclear power plants or not to approve it.

This policy provides us important information based on which we, sovereign members of this country, make a decision.

As for nuclear power plants, once an accident occurs at one of them, it will cause trillions yen of damage.  And measures for final disposal of spent nuclear fuel have yet to be determined.  Above all, beautiful land will be lost forever.

The accident in Fukushima has not been concluded yet.

Incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported though the causal relation between the disease and radiation has yet to be determined.  Many Japanese are deeply worried about what kind of problem will be actualized in the future.

Given the fact, it is a shallow idea to keep on using nuclear power because we have already had nuclear facilities.

It does not matter if we lose the national land for money.  This is the very idea “the miser” has.

As clearly shown in the case of Fukushima, Japan is the country most prone to earthquakes in the world.  We have a history of repeated attacks of massive earthquakes and massive tsunamis.  This destiny won’t be changed in the future, either.

As we have experienced the accident in Fukushima, it is we sovereign members that are authorized to make a final decision on this issue after due consideration.

In the coming election, sovereign members of Japan should demonstrate a clear-cut decision on this issue.



1.   Political party which clearly demonstrates the abolition of nuclear power generation within a decade and sets its political platform of basically disapproving of restarting nuclear power plants

2.   Political party which does not demonstrate the abolition of nuclear power generation within a decade and shows its policy of maintaining the use of nuclear power and also restarting the existing nuclear power plants

We sovereign members have to judge which party to select after due consideration.

The political parties which clearly demonstrate the abolition of nuclear power generation within a decade, which include “Mirai”, “Social Democratic Party”, “Japan Communist Party (JCP)”, “Daichi” and “Green”, simultaneously demonstrate their opposition to consumption tax hike and opposition to TPP & Osprey.

In a word, “Mirai”, “Social Democratic Party”, “JCP”, “Daichi” and “Green” are the force against “nuclear power generation/consumption tax hike/TPP & Osprey.”

On the other hand, the force which denies the abolition of nuclear power generation within a decade consists of JPD/ LDP/ New Komeito+Your Party/Ishin+Kaikaku.

This force basically approves consumption tax hike (partly with reservations) and approves TPP (partly with reservations).

To put it simply, JPD/LDP/New Komeito+Your Party/Ishin+Kaikaku are the force to promote “nuclear power generation/consumption tax hike/TPP & Osprey.”

The coming election will be summarized schematically: “Suishinja (Ptoponents) vs. Mitomenja (Opponents)” on the three issues of nuclear power generation, consumption tax and TPP.