politics

Noda: World must not fall for 'myth of safety' over nuclear plants

45 Comments

The tsunami-triggered meltdown at a Japanese nuclear power plant last year offered important lessons in protecting such facilities from terrorism, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Tuesday.

Noda told a nuclear security summit in South Korea that people in charge of securing nuclear energy facilities around the world must not be lulled into a "myth of safety," whether in regards to a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Noda said the disaster at the plant at Fukushima had shown the difficulties in preparing for the worst-case scenario, when officials could not comprehend the scale of the threat to the nuclear power plant.

In the case of Fukushima, officials had only prepared for a tsunami just over five meters, but the the waves that swamped the coastal plant were three times higher, according to Noda.

"The workings of nature are beyond comprehension, but there is also no limit to human imagination," Noda told the leaders or top officials from 53 nations attending the summit, including U.S. President Barack Obama.

"We should keep in mind that the man-caused act of sabotage will test our imaginations far more than any natural disaster."

Noda said the most important lesson to be learned from the Fukushima meltdown was that there was no end in the efforts to ensure safety. "Every person who works toward nuclear security should take this to heart," he said.

Noda said there was a need to establish procedures to quickly respond to emergencies and have off-site emergency power backup systems situated some distance from the power plants.

He said one of the problems in the immediate aftermath was a lack of coordination between civil and defense authorities and a difficulty in obtaining accurate information from the Fukushima plant. At times, it was difficult to know who was in charge, he said.

© AFP

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45 Comments
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When I first saw the title of this article I thought it was the name of a new black-comedy made for TV movie. Noda to brief THEM about lessons learned? How ironic.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

That is going to be a very brief summit indeed.

-5 ( +7 / -11 )

Noda to brief nuclear summit

Good, recess time for summit members is necessary.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"The goal of the summit is to strengthen international safeguards, prevent nuclear terrorism and restore confidence in the nuclear industry after the Fukushima disaster in Japan."

Then it would appear he has learned nothing at all.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The goal of the summit is to strengthen international safeguards, prevent nuclear terrorism and restore confidence in the nuclear industry after the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

There was nothing wrong with international safeguards.

In order to prevent fissionable material to reach terrorists, perhaps the Japanese authorities should find their stock first.

The nuclear industry on Japan knows what it needs to do to earn back their confidence. They might not like it, but that is not an issue.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If there is anything to this which we know is basically there is not, I wud at least suggest he tell the people of Japan first if anything has actually happened...............wtf

0 ( +1 / -1 )

to strengthen international safeguards, prevent nuclear terrorism and restore confidence in the nuclear industry

All wrong. I think it would be better like this:

to strictly implement and monitor international standards, to prepare for disasters and nuclear terrorism and to restore competence in nuclear industry management

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"Brief" is Noda's experience on the topic. Hahaha~

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Restore the faith? How on earth can Noda do that when the issue is still, well, an issue? There is nothing that can help restore faith.

"Hey, we've got a large area of land that is inhabitable for years to come, we've messed up the ecosystem, the food is dangerous, people have lost their homes and jobs because of this, we're ignoring the issue with the oceans but wink, wink, nudge, nudge, all is okay and we can continue to rely on nuclear power as a clean and efficient power source..."

0 ( +10 / -10 )

That`s rich. What in the world will Noda have to say? I wonder if Arnie Gunderson or Chris Busby have been invited? Or anyone from the ECRR for that matter? What a joke.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wonder if he'll start by saying that despite a tsunami that killed 20,000 people and caused one of the worst nuclear disasters the world has ever seen, through a number of factors including poor planning, safety checks and management. Nobody has died.

And what we've learned is with better planning, management and safety checks other countries could prevent this from happening on this scale again.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

such as off-site emergency power backup systems situated some distance from the power plants.

I thought that was already suggested by the US (ignored by Japan in the past). Repeating is good, but I hope a lot more came out of this disaster.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Thought at first that they might have had a nuclear power plant engineer or someone similar, rather than a politician briefing them, but then realized that most of them are subservient to their nuclear village bosses, and would not to be allowed to disclose anything that might adversely affect 'big nuke', or future sales of nuclear power plants.

Another chance missed...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What a joke. He says this, as he tries to restart the nuclear generators nationwide, without properly scrutinizing how well-prepared the nuclear reactors are to another disaster, nor providing any transparency whatsoever as to how the govt will measure and analyze plant readiness in the event of another crisis - whether man-made or natural. I hope the Japanese see the hypocrisy in their leadership...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Noda just gave the best argument for ending nuclear power ...“We should keep in mind that the man-caused act of sabotage will test our imaginations far more than any natural disaster.”

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This kind of talk is called "lip service."

0 ( +2 / -2 )

As is well documented, the original site of the Fukushima Daiichi plant was on high ground safe from a tsunami:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20110713a2.html

But the good old Japanese tradition of cutting into hills prevailed. That was a bad call. But it happens all the time...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Myth? What bloody myth??? The dangers of nuclear power have been common knowledge since the 50's. Why the do you think people have been protesting against it for so long? Pull your head out of sand Noda-san! Nobody is buying your rubbish anymore!

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Funny. I recently read a fairly interesting view that the reason for the culture of fear of all things nuclear is because of the arms race in the 50's. Not saying that's true, not for a second, but it's a more convincing argument than I've seen from the likes of Chris Busby (mentioned above).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Has he made a speech to those in temporary housing who can not return to their homes, who's children are denied care? Or is propping up a corrupt and safety adverse industry more beneficial financially for ...? Whom? Didn't he say assigning responsibility was not going to happen we all have to suffer together...that's what he should be sharing with the world. History will judge.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

How Noda can make a connection between 'terror' and a nuclear meltdown is a prime example of a non sequitor.........

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Noda is claiming false authority on this. Here are excerpts from yesterday's JT:

The U.S. had repeatedly warned Japan about vulnerabilities at its nuclear plants in case of a Sept 11-style terror attack......

......Tokyo had ignored the recommendations, which were implemented at U.S. nuclear sites, because Japanese officials thought the chances of terrorist-flown aircraft striking its plants were remote.

The agency that got the recommendations just put them in their pocket. No one else knew anything about it

And here is Noda at the summit:

..... there is also no limit to human imagination......We should keep in mind that the man-caused act of sabotage will test our imaginations far more than any natural disaster.

How can he stand and lecture other nations on this and not feel embarrassed? BS on a major scale.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

the difficulties in preparing for the worst-case scenario

There was no difficulties, Japan just had their ego head in the sand.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I'm not sure if anyone here actually knows what this summit is about. This is a summit to urge all nuclear powered nations to implement further safeguards against terrorism, above and over what is already in place. This means that it is not limited to the US, but also the european countries et all who may or may not have already done so.

This is a summit where some countries who have already implemented such safeguards (Ie. USA) are urging others to take the same route, and for everyone else to come up with any relevant points or ideas to further improve existing safeguards.

Noda's speech is him presenting Japan's stance in response to the content of the summit: ie. in full support. I don't know what all you nuclear decriers are screaming about. He's saying the exact same things as you want: that nuclear power is not safe, and that preparations will never be enough - and if countries insist on using nuclear power, they'd better be prepared to go the extra mile to protect against terrorism too.

But I guess, as long as it is something Noda says, it's gotta be shot down and made fun of, even if he's arguing FOR your case. Well done, guys.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Noda's speech is him presenting Japan's stance in response to the content of the summit: ie. in full support.

Yes, but it sticks in the craw to see Noda lecture other nations on opening their minds and imagination when Japan's politicians so clearly refused to do what he is now preaching. That's the BS in this, not his view: "Don't tell us we have to open our minds when you repeatedly and wilfully ignored the advice."

It should be the USA giving this address, citing Fukushima as an example; not Japan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Everything Noda said here is correct.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@dolittlebelate

There was nothing wrong with international safeguards.

There are, and Obama highlighted their existence today. He cited an incident where people broke into a nuclear plant and could have walked of with a significant amount of radioactive material - enough to cause mayhem.

I don't think Noda is the villain here either despite the panning by most people and others not hearing what went wrong here would be a complete waste.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

So Noda san put your money where your mouth is and get some laws passed subsidising solar power then !!!!!!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Noda san ur practically on the ring of fire. u should have thought of this before!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Don't see him saying anything about lax over site, disregard of even basic safety guidelines, lack of planning on the part of business and governance, lack of information to the public or world community, lies... Compensation that was enshrined in the contracts and conveniently ignored, disinformation about food, environment and products, lack of control...abandonment of those effected, encouragement of officials to move back into a toxic zone. Did he mention any of this..? Yep his getting quite a packet in the future...brown paper packet that is.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Building a nuke plant on one of the most vulnerable fault lines in the world seem risky in the first place! Man has a way of learning as we go! Surly, there has to be an alternative!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@cricky and darren Noda is attending a summit on how to prevent terrorist access to nuclear materials, what should he be saying? Just like the recent Patriot deployment, so many people are criticising that it is happening, but would more than likely be the first in the queue AFTER an incident to complain that nothing was being done to prevent an issue happening in the first place.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

and yet you intend to further peddle this myth to developing countries as an export of technology.... shame on you!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"World must not fall for 'myth of safety' over nuclear plants" says the guy 'in-charge' of the country that has done very little to ensure the safety of its people against nuclear disaster and the ensuing fallout. Irony at its best.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Noda said there was a need to establish procedures to quickly respond to emergencies and have off-site emergency power backup systems situated some distance from the power plants. He said one of the problems in the immediate aftermath was a lack of coordination between civil and defense authorities and a difficulty in obtaining accurate information from the Fukushima plant. At times, it was difficult to know who was in charge, he said.

Americans handled the 3 mile island incident far more better Russians handled Chernobyl far more better Japan refused assistance from many nations offering advice and emergency services. REFUSED Tepco did not communicate well to the government, Tepco hid many things from the government.

So, Jpn should clean up the inhouse bickering and dumbheads running the departments.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@cricky and darren Noda is attending a summit on how to prevent terrorist access to nuclear materials, what should he be saying?

Japan has taken x,y,z steps in preventing terrorism??

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

@darren - don't disagree with that (twice!)

Human corruption and laziness can at least be as lethal as terrorism

@tmarie If it were a Japanese meeting the outcome as you laid out would be what he said (nemawashi would have been done already). This was a session designed to agree the common framework and to ensure awareness (maybe compliance too?).

If you think these kind of things shouldn't be discussed then I'd be surprised.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Blaming the government is understandable, but the mistake was adopting this flawed technology in the first place. And that goes for every country.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

See more Japan bashing as always, the Americans and Europeans can do no wrong as usual. Noda san is trying to do the right thing but he is getting bashed. I will listen more more and turns my back on the scarecrows.

-5 ( +3 / -7 )

Noda san is trying to do the right thing

When he puts TEPCO in trial for negligence, then I'll believe that he's trying to do the right thing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cough...asoka

Ok Noda.

Raise the consumption tax on food...that will take your stress away about nuke plants.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

vinnyfav, you said it so well! Even though Noda is talking about lessons learned and to be learned, there are always so many people who cannot do anything other than express their anger, frustration, etc. ... no matter what the topic of the article is. And let's remember even just for a moment that Noda was not the Prime Minister during and for several months after the accident, so yes, he has a short experience in the matter, but who else doesn't???

Though many people do not to see it, Japan IS taking steps towards solving the crisis. Having in mind the Japanese culture, it is natural to expect it will take time, but hey, this crisis is worse only than the Second World war so how do you expect it to be solved in 1 or 2 or even 3 years?

And no, Russia did not handle the Chernobil accident better. At least not in the first 1 or 2 years after the accident. So let's go back to the article and see what it realy is about.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

the only tero to hit japan was aum shinrikyo. i dont think japanese should lecture about terrorists

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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