Japan’s News Media, The Information Disclosure Law, and The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Repeta
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Regulatory Oversight ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Invaluable Tool ◽  
Government Records ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

AbstractOfficial investigations that followed the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster revealed that it could have been prevented by reasonable safety measures. Investigators concluded that close relationships between government officials and industry executives led to very weak regulatory oversight and the failure to address the risk of violent earthquakes and tsunami such as those that struck the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station on March 11, 2011. News reporters conducted their own investigations in the months following the disaster. Japan’s information disclosure law provided an invaluable tool that enabled them to obtain government records related to regulation of Japan’s nuclear power plants. This article describes some of the stories they produced. Appearing on the front pages of newspapers with daily circulations in the millions, this work provided an authoritative inside view of the failed regulatory process to the Japanese people. The work of the investigative bodies and the news media drove the demand for change that led to disbanding of the regulatory agencies that failed and their replacement by an entirely new regulatory body. This article highlights the importance of “right to know” laws such as Japan’s information disclosure law in creating the opportunity for news reporters and others to demand the release of otherwise confidential government records that can enlighten everyone on matters of great public interest.

scholarly journals Risk Perception of Nuclear Power Plants Among University Students in Northeast Asia After the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Chi Fong Ieong ◽  
Jung-Chun Ho ◽  
Patricia Chiao-Tze Lee ◽  
Tomiko Hokama ◽  
Tsugiko Gima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
University Students ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Analyses of Severe Accident Sequences in the Spent Fuel Pool of the VVER-1000 Type of Reactor With MELCOR 1.8.6

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Kotouč
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Steel Plates ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Concrete Walls ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Spent Fuel Pool ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, much attention has been paid to investigation of severe accidents (SA) progression in spent fuel pools (SFP) of various types of nuclear power plants (NPP). In Czech Republic, 4 VVER-440 and 2 VVER-1000 types of reactors (at the Dukovany and Temelin NPPs, respectively) are currently under operation. In order to enhance their safety, especially with respect to station black-out (SBO) events, numerical analyses have been carried out evaluating the risks associated with accidents occurring also in the SFP. The present paper deals with analyses of 2 postulated scenarios (loss of cooling and loss of coolant) and is mainly focused on the input deck preparation for the integral, lumped parameter (LP) code for SA analyses — MELCOR 1.8.6. Emphasis is put on description of correct implementation of the complex geometry of the SFP, consisting of 3 distinct pools separated by concrete walls (lined with steel plates) in which fuel assemblies (FA) are stored in an absorber grid (rack). In the description of the prepared numerical model, light is shed on the encountered modeling issues, and corresponding hints and solutions are proposed in order to provide guidance for preparing adequate models for various types of SFP designs. Finally, some of the most characteristic results are presented for both postulated scenarios.

scholarly journals Project strategy for clean-up of sedimentary radioactive material in Fukushima bay areas using snake-like robotics

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Cho ◽  
Tae Woo
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Radioactive Material ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Project Strategy

The snake-like robot is used for clean-up project in Fukushima nuclear disaster site. The contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants has been purified by the water treatment system, called Advanced Liquid Processing System, co-developed by Japanese and international technologies. The system is used to remove most remaining radioactive contaminants in water that had to be stored at the facility. In this paper, a snake-like robot, incorporated with Advanced Liquid Processing System is introduced for the severe accident in the nuclear power plants in which human cannot control the cleaning-up in the sea where the radioactive materials have been submerged and some resolved in the sea water. The effective strategy of the cleaning-up is analyzed from the environmental protection aspect with the snake's biomechanics and radioactive hazards.

The holistic risk analysis of spent fuel pool considering the fuel route risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 1748006X2199851
Author(s):  
Zhixin Xu ◽  
Ming Wang ◽  
Binyan Song ◽  
WenYu Hou ◽  
Chao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Fuel Assemblies ◽  
Spent Fuel Pool ◽  
Large Water ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

The Fukushima nuclear disaster has raised the importance on the reliability and risk research of the spent fuel pool (SFP), including the risk of internal events, fire, external hazards and so on. From a safety point of view, the low decay heat of the spent fuel assemblies and large water inventory in the SFP has made the accident progress goes very slow, but a large number of fuel assemblies are stored inside the spent fuel pool and without containment above the SFP building, it still has an unignored risk to the safety of the nuclear power plant. In this paper, a standardized approach for performing a holistic and comprehensive evaluation approach of the SFP risk based on the probabilistic safety analysis (PSA) method has been developed, including the Level 1 SFP PSA and Level 2 SFP PSA and external hazard PSA. The research scope of SFP PSA covers internal events, internal flooding, internal fires, external hazards and new risk source-fuel route risk is also included. The research will provide the risk insight of Spent Fuel Pool operation, and can help to make recommendation for the prevention and mitigation of SFP accidents which will be applicable for the SFP configuration risk management.

Healing Fukushima: Radiation hazards and disaster medicine in post-3.11 Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Lin Loh ◽  
Sulfikar Amir
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Radiation Hazards ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

What happens when expertise is forced to face disasters of unprecedented scales? How is knowledge produced in critical moments when every action and decision is a matter of life and death? And how are local social networks mobilized to cope with unforeseen crisis? This paper addresses these questions by examining the emergence of disaster medicine expertise in the aftermath of Fukushima nuclear disaster that struck Japan in 2011. Studies on Fukushima’s impact have to date revolved around the suffering of Tōhoku citizens and the development of Japan’s nuclear energy industry. Acknowledging the gravity of such work, this paper offers an alternative, but equally crucial angle on the disaster: that of the medical caregiving and public health system built in response to radiation hazards resulting from the triple meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Through detailed interviews conducted with eight medical practitioners in Fukushima Prefecture, this paper analyses the significance and impact of Japan’s most recent radiation disaster on its public health infrastructure. To describe the contingent nature of radiation disaster medicine developed in response to radiation risk in Fukushima, we draw on Jasanoff’s characterization of scientific knowledge as ‘serviceable truths’ with regards to public policy and the law, suggesting that expertise in relation to disasters is usefully understood in analogous terms.

Architecting “Maintenance Program” for Piping and Pipe Support

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi Tsumori ◽  
Yoshizumi Fukuhara ◽  
Hiroyuki Terunuma ◽  
Koji Yamamoto ◽  
Satoshi Momiyama
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
3D Cad ◽  
Cad System ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Safety Regulations ◽  
Maintenance Program

A new inspection standard that enhanced quality of operating /maintenance management of the nuclear power plant was introduced in 2009. After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (Mar. 11th 2011), the situation surrounding the nuclear industry has dramatically changed, and the requirement for maintenance management of nuclear power plants is pushed for more stringent nuclear safety regulations. The new inspection standard requires enhancing equipment maintenance. It is necessary to enhance maintenance of not only equipment but also piping and pipe support. In this paper, we built the methodology for enhancing maintenance plan by rationalizing and visualizing of piping and pipe support based on the “Maintenance Program” in cooperating with 3D-CAD system.

scholarly journals The concept of an early warning system for the use of nuclear technology in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 331 ◽  
pp. 04003
Author(s):  
Dewi Prima Meiliasari ◽  
Berton Suar Panjaitan ◽  
Toto Heryanto ◽  
Wilopo
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Warning Services

The application of nuclear power plants in the world is increasing and has the potential for accidents, including nuclear weapons tests from outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, thus allowing radioactive releases to fall into Indonesian territory, which is a potential threat. Indonesia also utilizes nuclear power in many fields, thus also potentially becoming a national threat. To prevent the threat of radiation potential requires a nuclear disaster Early Warning System (EWS) that can be accessed by the community. This research analysed the EWS that Indonesia needed, using qualitative methods by describing the results of research obtained from interviews and secondary data. Results and research discussions starting from observation and monitoring of radiation exposure, warning services, information dissemination, and supported by countermeasures for the effectiveness of the EWS. The results showed that the development of an integrated nuclear disaster EWS that is easily accessible to the community quickly and continuously under the development of an emergency is a strategy as a decision to reduce the risk of nuclear disaster. The development of the strategy requires a legal basis that regulates coordination between ministries/institutions, from planning to information dissemination to ensure the safety of the public and Indonesian people's security.

Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning in Germany: Projects, Regulation and Experience

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leopold Weil ◽  
Bernd Rehs
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Radioactive Decay ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Interim Storage ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Selection Of

In Germany, altogether 19 nuclear power plants (NPPs) and prototype reactors have been permanently shut down. For 15 NPPs the dismantling is in progress with “green-field conditions” as planning target. Two units were completely dismantled and two are in safe enclosure. The main legal provision for all aspects of the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Germany is the Atomic Energy Act (AtG), which also contains the basic legal conditions for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. It stipulates that decommissioning is subject to a licence by the regulatory body of the respective Federal State (Land). An emerging decommissioning practice in Germany is the removal of complete undismantled large components and their transport to interim storage facilities. During the period of storage, the radionuclide inventory of the components will decrease due to radioactive decay and the subsequent segmentation of the components can be done with less radiation protection effort. The commissioning of the Konrad repository in the near future might have consequences on planning of decommissioning, regarding the selection of a decommissioning strategy and the waste management.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION SIMULATION FOR A RADIATION DISASTER: A CASE STUDY OF A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL NEAR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN KOREA

2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-336
Author(s):  
Juyoul Kim ◽  
Faith Rukundo ◽  
Ashraf Musauddin ◽  
Batbuyan Tseren ◽  
Gazi Muhammad Borhan Uddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Emergency Evacuation ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Evacuation Simulation ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Night And Day ◽  
The Times

Abstract Ensuring evacuation of people from a building in a fast and secure manner is of great significance in the event of emergency situations. This study aimed at evaluating the level of evacuation preparedness and movement of residents at the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) in the event of a nuclear emergency. Evacuation times from KINGS after a nuclear disaster at Shin Kori nuclear power plant (NPP) were estimated using Pathfinder. Four scenarios of night and day time by assuming the normal and worst scenarios were simulated. With regard to worst scenarios, the times estimated for residents to gather and leave the assembly point for the night time scenario were estimated to 22~23 min, whereas 38~39 min were calculated for the crowd to leave the assembly point. The results of this study can be used by emergency planners when planning for evacuation from a residential building nearby NPP.

Issues Associated With the Development of Severe Accident Management Guidelines for NPPs in China

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyi Yang ◽  
Yimin Chong ◽  
Chun Li ◽  
Jian Deng ◽  
Xianhong Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Control Room ◽  
Technical Approach ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Accident Management ◽  
Term Monitoring

After Fukushima nuclear accident, the Severe Accident Management Guidelines (SAMGs) are required according to the policy of the regulatory body in China. Most nuclear power plants (NPPs) in China adopt the technical approach of generic-SAMG of the Westinghouse Owner Group, consisting of severe accident control room guideline (SACRG), diagnostic flow chart (DFC), severe accident guideline (SAG), severe challenge status tree (SCST), severe challenge guideline (SCG), technical support center (TSC) long term monitoring guideline, and SAMG termination guideline (SAEG). A number of issues have been identified during the development of the SAMGs for M310+ NPPs, which is a dominant reactor type in China. The paper discussed these issues and identified some considerations for their resolution.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document