Japan Press Weekly

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2016 December 21 - 2017 January 3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Fukushima prefectural assembly demands decommissioning of Fukushima Daini NPP

The Fukushima Prefectural Assembly on December 21 unanimously adopted a statement urging the central government to shut down the Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant in the prefecture.

The statement pointed out that repeated troubles at that plant have hindered Fukushima’s recovery from the 2011 disaster. It demanded that the national government decommission all four reactors at the nuclear power station as early as possible.

The leader of the Japanese Communist Party prefectural assemblypersons’ group, Kamiyama Etsuko, said, “The unanimous approval of the statement reflects local residents’ growing concern over the safety of the NPP.”

Following the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP in March 2011, it was decided that all six reactors at the Daiichi plant would be decommissioned. However, both the Abe government and the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) have avoided making any definite statement on whether to close down the Fukushima Daini NPP.

In the early morning of November 22, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture and a tsunami up to 1.4 meters high struck the coast. It immediately aroused public demand calling for the decommissioning of the Daini plant.

Past related article:
> JCP Takahashi criticizes Reconstruction Minister for promoting restart of NPP located in Fukushima [December 9, 2015]