March 5, 2023

With the 12th year approaching since the major earthquake and resultant tsunami followed by nuclear meltdowns at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, about 500 people, including those who are from Fukushima Prefecture, took part in an anti-nuclear energy rally on March 4 which was held at Hibiya Amphitheater in Tokyo.

After the rally, they marched in demonstration through the Ginza district, shouting in chorus, "Remember Fukushima!"

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Kira Yoshiko at the rally delivered a speech in solidarity. She said, "The Kishida government's attempt to promote nuclear power generation is unacceptable. Let us work hand in hand in order to pass on a Japan without nuclear energy to future generations!"

Matsumoto Yoko from Fukushima, a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit demanding state and TEPCO compensation for damages caused by the nuclear accident, said, "The 2011 accident destroyed our lives, dividing many families and communities. Neglecting its safety responsibilities, the central government decided to extend the conventionally-set limit to the operating lifespan of nuclear reactors. I want the government to turn away from the current nuclear power-dependent policy."

A man participating in the rally with his friend said, "To maintain nuclear power plants is extremely costly and the decommissioning of nuclear reactors takes a long period of time. In addition, once a nuclear accident occurs, it will cause heavy damage. I hope Japan will be nuclear-energy free. I will continue to demand a change in the government energy policy."

Past related articles:
> Regulators approve reactor operations beyond 60 years by vote [February 15, 2023]
> JCP Kasai demands retraction of new nuclear energy policy that throws away precious lessons derived from Fukushima disaster [December 23, 2022]