PRESS CONFERENCE
Susumu Kitano, Chief plaintiff / Shiga Nuclear Power Plant Must be Decommissioned! Lawsuit &
Former member of the Ishikawa Prefectural Assembly
Shoko Murakami, Chief Secretary for the Citizens' Commission on Nuclear Energy and
Aileen Mioko Smith, Executive Director, Green Action
14:00-15:00 Monday, February 19, 2024
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in English or Japanese with English interpretation.
On Shaky Ground: Japan’s Nuclear Power Policy and the Noto Peninsula
The Noto Peninsula earthquake was a reminder that, like the Pacific side of the country, the Japan Sea coast is vulnerable to natural disasters. The quake revealed a weak transportation infrastructure in the area that hindered a rapid response. But the presence of the Shiga nuclear power plant in Ishikawa prefecture raised concerns about whether the Japanese government has adequate plans to respond to an earthquake and nuclear accident in the region. Especially realistic plans for evacuation in the event of a radiation leak.
To highlight these concerns, three activists will speak at FCCJ on Ishikawa and the government's nuclear power policy. Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture-based Susumu Kitano will discuss the quake's implications for Shiga and the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plants in Niigata. Shoko Murakami will touch on structural flaws in the government’s seismic regulations and nuclear emergency response policies. Aileen Mioko Smith will highlight other reactors on the Japan Sea Coast, including those in Fukui prefecture which are about 100 kilometers from central Kyoto, and how the Noto quake raises similar questions about adequate response and evacuation procedures at these plants.
How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in and giving your name and contact details at the reception.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel.
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/xhF6J8t6K1b4Bw3fA
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event.
Professional Activities Committee