No, you will never be done with it. Just like Japan will never be done with the Fukushima disaster.
Fukushima one year on
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 23535
- Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:15 pm
- Title: Incipient toppler
- Location: Swimming in Lake Ed
Re: Fukushima one year on
Somewhere there, there's a there there.Bananas?-Yes wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:22 am I have some living quarters and sort of office I work out of off-and-on and it is a very unusual sort of complex owned by an old family in this city and so we have a very strange arrangement there --- for some background.
Now on the second floor of that building there are two side-by-side apartments and then a second smaller building just to the west of that one which also shares the same balcony and so the stairs; so I and the neighbor between my group of rooms and that smaller building have to pass that smaller apartment any time we go up and down and that fella in that smaller place was very particular in his habits and so if I were to stay there for any length of time I would be able to hear him go down the stairs at the same time every morning and then fire up his motorcycle just next to the stairs and so on. Now there are times I am not there for extended periods, so I am also keeping scant supplies there so as not to let things spoil if I am gone for lengthy periods of time. There is no real pattern to my ins-and-outs there.
So one week when I was in for an extended period of time I started to realize that I wasn't hearing that heavy footsteps going down those metal stairs at the proper time nor no sound of the motorcycle, but I can't say as it really bothered me. Folks living in that compound are not exactly the normal types, if I can be rough with the description of the mixed group we have spread out there over a few acres. It is a strange place and the rest of the city folks around there look upon us inside that place as to be wary of. And we certainly don't have social gatherings around there and don't really know much about each other, which is why it is used by some odd folks, like me. We greet each other politely but curtly, if the need arises; and no small talk except maybe weather related and very short. I didn't know that fella in that smaller group of rooms to the west, except he kept his car and motorcycle in good condition and kept the area around his door clean. It is an oddly large type of balcony arrangement --- only two floors in all the many buildings --- some other buildings I notice the residents get messy. We don't have that problem in that building or that smaller one just to the west. He seemed an okay fella. Sort of like y'all here in this Community.
Anyway, maybe three or four days after that no-normal-sounds (the buildings are very old built style [50 - 60 yrs old] of wood and easy to hear those with a heavy walking style) of that fella going in and out I needed to go get some supplies and when I came back about 2000hrs or so (getting on dark) I came through the complex and around the corner of another building and I see a whole mess of medics on the second floor of that smaller building where the motorcycle guy lived and a few law enforcement folks and down on the ground floor at the bottom of the stairs and eventually when I identified myself as the last resident down the balcony to the east they let me up the steps and to my place and I would say about halfway up, or two-thirds up, the steps that horrible smell hit me and, of course, it was worse and worse as I rounded that railing edge and passed that fella's door and then I knew right away he'd been dead in there for a few days and I also realized I had completely forgotten that smell from way, way back in my earlier days.
That is not the kind of smell one easily forgets if they are unfortunate to have to smell it. And I remember when I was much younger I did not forget it even years later and honestly thought I would never forget it and I found out not too long ago I was wrong. And being reminded of that smell was a very unpleasant experience.
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
And the coroners report said?
I rather doubt it was radiation sickness and therefore had fuck all to do with Fukushima.
But by all means, continue to conflate things when you post here because it's awfully amusing in a troll-like sort of way.
I rather doubt it was radiation sickness and therefore had fuck all to do with Fukushima.
But by all means, continue to conflate things when you post here because it's awfully amusing in a troll-like sort of way.

You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 40553
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:52 pm
- Title: G_D
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
Re: Fukushima one year on
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/ ... gptenBhCUkRemoval of spent nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1 delayed up to five years
The government decided Friday to delay the removal of spent fuel from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant’s Nos. 1 and 2 reactors by up to five years, casting doubt on whether it can stick to its time frame for dismantling the crippled complex.
The process of removing the spent fuel from the units’ pools had previously been scheduled to begin in fiscal 2023.
In its latest decommissioning plan, the government said the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., will not begin the roughly two-year process at the No. 1 unit at least until fiscal 2027 and may wait until fiscal 2028.
Work at the No. 2 unit is now slated to start between fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2026, it said.
The delay is necessary to take further safety precautions, such as the construction of an enclosure around the No. 1 unit to prevent the spread of radioactive dust and the decontamination of the No. 2 unit, the government said. It is the fourth time it has revised its schedule for removing the spent fuel rods.
Seems a tad tricky, uh?
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
Shouldn't be. All they're trying to do is unburden the spent fuel rod pools. Wonder where the hell they're planning to send all those used fuel rods?
The melted reactor core(s) material is a whole other real fucking tricky ball game. If they knew for certain it hadn't gone through the bottom of the plant(s) and into the earth beneath, it'd be easy enough just to encase the mess of shit in concrete. Not such a good idea until they know where it all is and what its condition is.
The melted reactor core(s) material is a whole other real fucking tricky ball game. If they knew for certain it hadn't gone through the bottom of the plant(s) and into the earth beneath, it'd be easy enough just to encase the mess of shit in concrete. Not such a good idea until they know where it all is and what its condition is.
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
Hahahahahaha
Ha!
Goddamn you are ignorant. Is it willful? Or real ignorance?
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
Re: Fukushima one year on
Update:Witness wrote: ↑Sat Nov 16, 2019 1:35 amhttps://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3kxm ... clear-tombClimate Change Is Breaking Open America's Nuclear Tomb
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50951981US atomic waste dump in Marshall Islands to be investigated
The US Congress has demanded an investigation into a concrete dome full of nuclear waste, threatened by rising sea levels in the Marshall Islands.
Dubbed "the tomb", it holds tonnes of radioactive debris from dozens of US atomic bomb tests carried out during the Cold War.
Congress wants the Department of Energy to report back on the state of the ageing Runit Dome within six months.
The demand is part of a huge defence bill approved by President Trump.
More than 40 nuclear weapons tests took place on or near the Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific between 1946 and 1958, including a bomb test on Runit Island.
The crater from that blast was used from the 1970s by the Defense Nuclear Agency to store nuclear waste. It was later covered in thick concrete slabs to form the 377ft (115 metre) protective dome.
There are concerns that the structure is deteriorating and could be vulnerable to sea-level rise caused by climate change.
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
Go yuck yourself troll.
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
-
- Posts: 73850
- Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:09 pm
- Title: Collective Messiah
- Location: Your Mom
Re: Fukushima one year on
About that measles endemic.
– J.D.
– J.D.
Mob of the Mean: Free beanie, cattle-prod and Charley Fan Club!
"Doctor X is just treating you the way he treats everyone--as subhuman crap too dumb to breathe in after you breathe out." – Don
DocX: FTW. – sparks
"Doctor X wins again." – Pyrrho
"Never sorry to make a racist Fucktard cry." – His Humble MagNIfIcence
"It was the criticisms of Doc X, actually, that let me see more clearly how far the hypocrisy had gone." – clarsct
"I'd leave it up to Doctor X who has been a benevolent tyrant so far." – Grammatron
"Indeed you are a river to your people.
Shit. That's going to end up in your sig." – Pyrrho
"Try a twelve step program and accept Doctor X as your High Power." – asthmatic camel
"just like Doc X said." – gnome
WS CHAMPIONS X4!!!!
NBA CHAMPIONS!! Stanley Cup!
SB CHAMPIONS X6!!!!!! 
"Doctor X is just treating you the way he treats everyone--as subhuman crap too dumb to breathe in after you breathe out." – Don
DocX: FTW. – sparks
"Doctor X wins again." – Pyrrho
"Never sorry to make a racist Fucktard cry." – His Humble MagNIfIcence
"It was the criticisms of Doc X, actually, that let me see more clearly how far the hypocrisy had gone." – clarsct
"I'd leave it up to Doctor X who has been a benevolent tyrant so far." – Grammatron
"Indeed you are a river to your people.
Shit. That's going to end up in your sig." – Pyrrho
"Try a twelve step program and accept Doctor X as your High Power." – asthmatic camel
"just like Doc X said." – gnome




-
- Posts: 73850
- Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:09 pm
- Title: Collective Messiah
- Location: Your Mom
Re: Fukushima one year on
Mob of the Mean: Free beanie, cattle-prod and Charley Fan Club!
"Doctor X is just treating you the way he treats everyone--as subhuman crap too dumb to breathe in after you breathe out." – Don
DocX: FTW. – sparks
"Doctor X wins again." – Pyrrho
"Never sorry to make a racist Fucktard cry." – His Humble MagNIfIcence
"It was the criticisms of Doc X, actually, that let me see more clearly how far the hypocrisy had gone." – clarsct
"I'd leave it up to Doctor X who has been a benevolent tyrant so far." – Grammatron
"Indeed you are a river to your people.
Shit. That's going to end up in your sig." – Pyrrho
"Try a twelve step program and accept Doctor X as your High Power." – asthmatic camel
"just like Doc X said." – gnome
WS CHAMPIONS X4!!!!
NBA CHAMPIONS!! Stanley Cup!
SB CHAMPIONS X6!!!!!! 
"Doctor X is just treating you the way he treats everyone--as subhuman crap too dumb to breathe in after you breathe out." – Don
DocX: FTW. – sparks
"Doctor X wins again." – Pyrrho
"Never sorry to make a racist Fucktard cry." – His Humble MagNIfIcence
"It was the criticisms of Doc X, actually, that let me see more clearly how far the hypocrisy had gone." – clarsct
"I'd leave it up to Doctor X who has been a benevolent tyrant so far." – Grammatron
"Indeed you are a river to your people.
Shit. That's going to end up in your sig." – Pyrrho
"Try a twelve step program and accept Doctor X as your High Power." – asthmatic camel
"just like Doc X said." – gnome




-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
Yea, since none of the Fukushima reactors exploded like Chernobyl (you did not see graphite!!!), the surrounding area is significantly radiologically cleaner.
Inside the reactor buildings is fucked of course, but one expects this with a melt through.
Inside the reactor buildings is fucked of course, but one expects this with a melt through.
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 73850
- Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:09 pm
- Title: Collective Messiah
- Location: Your Mom
Re: Fukushima one year on
So not great, not terrible?
– J.D.
– J.D.
Mob of the Mean: Free beanie, cattle-prod and Charley Fan Club!
"Doctor X is just treating you the way he treats everyone--as subhuman crap too dumb to breathe in after you breathe out." – Don
DocX: FTW. – sparks
"Doctor X wins again." – Pyrrho
"Never sorry to make a racist Fucktard cry." – His Humble MagNIfIcence
"It was the criticisms of Doc X, actually, that let me see more clearly how far the hypocrisy had gone." – clarsct
"I'd leave it up to Doctor X who has been a benevolent tyrant so far." – Grammatron
"Indeed you are a river to your people.
Shit. That's going to end up in your sig." – Pyrrho
"Try a twelve step program and accept Doctor X as your High Power." – asthmatic camel
"just like Doc X said." – gnome
WS CHAMPIONS X4!!!!
NBA CHAMPIONS!! Stanley Cup!
SB CHAMPIONS X6!!!!!! 
"Doctor X is just treating you the way he treats everyone--as subhuman crap too dumb to breathe in after you breathe out." – Don
DocX: FTW. – sparks
"Doctor X wins again." – Pyrrho
"Never sorry to make a racist Fucktard cry." – His Humble MagNIfIcence
"It was the criticisms of Doc X, actually, that let me see more clearly how far the hypocrisy had gone." – clarsct
"I'd leave it up to Doctor X who has been a benevolent tyrant so far." – Grammatron
"Indeed you are a river to your people.
Shit. That's going to end up in your sig." – Pyrrho
"Try a twelve step program and accept Doctor X as your High Power." – asthmatic camel
"just like Doc X said." – gnome




-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
Yep. Not great, but not as terrible as most anti nuke nuts make out.
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
Re: Fukushima one year on
Like Tchernobyl:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 124336.htmAnimal life thriving around Fukushima
Nearly a decade after the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, researchers from the University of Georgia have found that wildlife populations are abundant in areas void of human life.
The camera study, published in the Journal of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, reports that over 267,000 wildlife photos recorded more than 20 species, including wild boar, Japanese hare, macaques, pheasant, fox and the raccoon dog -- a relative of the fox -- in various areas of the landscape.
UGA wildlife biologist James Beasley said speculation and questions have come from both the scientific community and the general public about the status of wildlife years after a nuclear accident like those in Chernobyl and Fukushima.
This recent study, in addition to the team's research in Chernobyl, provides answers to the questions.
"Our results represent the first evidence that numerous species of wildlife are now abundant throughout the Fukushima Evacuation Zone, despite the presence of radiological contamination," said Beasley, associate professor at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Species that are often in conflict with humans, particularly wild boar, were predominantly captured on camera in human-evacuated areas or zones, according to Beasley.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
Reactor three, the one that used MOX fuel (plutonium mix, not just uranium), is proving to be a real problem child.
Since starting in October 2019, they have managed to move 35 fuel assemblies, all of which are unused fuel. They haven't even started on the 535 spent fuel assemblies.
That it's going to take decades just to remove fuel rods in the cooling ponds, one can see how fucked the situation actually is.
Since starting in October 2019, they have managed to move 35 fuel assemblies, all of which are unused fuel. They haven't even started on the 535 spent fuel assemblies.
That it's going to take decades just to remove fuel rods in the cooling ponds, one can see how fucked the situation actually is.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
Speaking of ....
because the cooling ponds in almost all older reactors are too full of spent fuel (because there isn't anywhere to move it to still), the spent fuel is packed way too close for safety. So they use neutron absorbing shields around them, so they can pack the spent fuel far closer than it should be.
This is a known danger all over the world.
because the cooling ponds in almost all older reactors are too full of spent fuel (because there isn't anywhere to move it to still), the spent fuel is packed way too close for safety. So they use neutron absorbing shields around them, so they can pack the spent fuel far closer than it should be.
This is a known danger all over the world.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
And how many have died?
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
Nope. Just like Japan will never be done with Fukushima
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
In April 2019 they started moving fuel rods from Unit 3
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/15/asia/jap ... index.html
In 9 months they managed to move 35 assemblies, of new fuel, unirradiated assembles. But not a single spent fuel rod.
Spent fuel: 0 / 514
Unirradiated (New) fuel: 35 / 52
https://www7.tepco.co.jp/responsibility ... it3-e.html
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/15/asia/jap ... index.html
In 9 months they managed to move 35 assemblies, of new fuel, unirradiated assembles. But not a single spent fuel rod.
Spent fuel: 0 / 514
Unirradiated (New) fuel: 35 / 52
https://www7.tepco.co.jp/responsibility ... it3-e.html
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
It gives an idea of just how bad it actually is there.
In 9 years they have managed to move zero spent fuel assemblies
These fuel rods are a danger, and they just can't seem to move them elsewhere.
The really dangerous shit, sitting somewhere beneath, they have no plans to move at all. Nobody has ever moved any melted fuel from a complete core meltdown. Ever.
And with out a doubt it will not happen in your lifetime, or your kids lifetime.
In 9 years they have managed to move zero spent fuel assemblies
These fuel rods are a danger, and they just can't seem to move them elsewhere.
The really dangerous shit, sitting somewhere beneath, they have no plans to move at all. Nobody has ever moved any melted fuel from a complete core meltdown. Ever.
And with out a doubt it will not happen in your lifetime, or your kids lifetime.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
Eventually the radioactivity will fade.
Just give it 10,000 years.
Just give it 10,000 years.

You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
The radio-cesium has a half life of around 30 years, so a lot of the really dangerous shit will only be half as bad in another 20 years. Which is about the time they will finish moving the fuel rods from the cooling pools.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
There's some plutonium in the spent fuel. That shit has a 24,000 year half life, IIRC.
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
Bah! Plutonium is not dangerous
Remember, nobody died
Remember, nobody died
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
If you use the metric of "but nobody died", then plutonium is 100% safe. It's true. Nobody has ever died from exposure to Plutonium.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
Yep. Let's not forget that it's not only highly radioactive, but it's chemical toxicity is unrivaled. Except perhaps by ed, when he's in one of his 'smoting' moods. 

You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
Nobody touched the plutonium, breathed in any dust from it, had any physical contact with it. It was the neutron radiation that was the danger.
One could claim wood killed people, when it was the fire that did the damage.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
Re: Fukushima one year on
Aha, ye olde Scotsman!robinson wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 6:50 amNobody touched the plutonium, breathed in any dust from it, had any physical contact with it. It was the neutron radiation that was the danger.
One could claim wood killed people, when it was the fire that did the damage.

FTFY.Nobody touched the sun, breathed in any gas from it, had any physical contact with it. It was the light radiation that was the danger.
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
I think we should call it the "Robinson's No True Nuetron" fallacy... 

You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
It's a funny sort of political world where Pu is considered deadly, but burning coal isn't so bad. Where 3 complete meltdowns are described as "not that bad" (nobody died, etc etc), and exposure to a criticality test of a bomb core is the same as being near Pu from a reactor explosion.
It's like nobody actually wants to learn or know anything. Actually, it's exactly that.
It's like nobody actually wants to learn or know anything. Actually, it's exactly that.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
Re: Fukushima one year on
More peeps die from coal every year than have ever died from nuclear power. Shove that up your ass ad hom boy Robinsuck.
You can lead them to knowledge, but you can't make them think.
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
More people die from every other cause of death than from nuclear power each year.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
-
- Posts: 17142
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Friar McWallclocks Bar -- Where time stands still while you lean over!
-
- Posts: 13318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:01 am
- Title: Pretty much dead already
- Location: USA
Re: Fukushima one year on
If you count the number of people who are alive because of a fuel source, the numbers are very interesting.
still working on Sophrosyne, but I will no doubt end up with Hubris
-
- Posts: 34426
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:50 pm
Re: Fukushima one year on
Long article, I'll give you the abstract:
https://www.globalresearch.ca/dirt-radi ... ma/5690924Slow Burn: Dirt, Radiation, and Power in Fukushima
Amid the radioactive fallout of the meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and across what would come to be known as the Exclusion Zone, Japanese members of the nuclear lobby laboured to contain the political fallout of the Fukushima disaster. This article scrutinizes the profuse rhetoric over recycling as mobilized by nuclear boosters and the wider operations of circularity in waste management in Japan. Japanese leant heavily on the notion of recycling to attempt to frame the clean-up in Fukushima in more ideologically convenient terms. This led, for example, to officials trumpeting plans to ‘recycle’ over 16 million cubic metres of radioactive topsoil scraped from hundreds of square kilometres of Fukushima Prefecture, as well as efforts to achieve ‘thermal recycling’ by generating electricity from the incineration of collected irradiated vegetal matter and the large amounts of protective clothing and other material used in the ‘decontamination’ campaign. By scrutinizing this appropriation of recycling rhetoric and its leveraging across Japan’s nuclear waste management apparatus, the article exposes contradictions and distortions in contemporary Japanese policy that have considerable socio-political ramifications.