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| May 17, 2011 |
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| Founded Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Local Assembly Members |
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A group of local assembly members will have a founding meeting of Alliance for Anti-Nuclear Power Generation of Local Assembly Members in Tokyo May 22 to phase-out nuclear power generation. They will launch a campaign from the municipality level to phase out this dangerous electricity generation promoted by the central governments. The members had prepared to establish an association to stage various activities, when the disastrous earthquake occurred March 11, which triggered a nuclear accident at the power plant. The founders of association are firmly determined to prevent similar accident from taking place.
DISCONTINUE NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION! LET'S VOICE FROM MUNICIPALITIES!
Successive governments led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have encouraged the nuclear power industry, admitting extension of operation period of old reactors. Meanwhile, the current government of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which became a ruling party in 2009, not only does follow the same path, but also actively commits in technology export in cooperation with the industry.
In the background of the policy there lies a tremendous financial potential: electric power companies can earn colossal profits steadily by way of government's protection measures over their monopoly and properties, companies flock together around gigantic investments and a social acceptance mechanism is produced to control people through collective efforts of politicians, bureaucrats, financial institutions and academicians as well as commercial media.
The newly established alliance will enhance voices against nuclear power generation which have been forced out on the national level politics and propose a phase-out program from the level of municipalities. The members foresee imminent great earthquakes and face existence of old nuclear facilities. If an accident happens, catastrophes will prevail: that must be evaded in advance. They have a vital mission to close nuclear power generation.
The New Socialist Party (NSP)'s members, together with citizens, have fought against the nuclear programs: in Kubokawa-cho, Kochi Prefecture (now Shimanto-cho) they had the city authority enact an ordinance on referendum for the nuclear power project. In Maki-machi, Niigata Prefecture (now Niigata City) popular movements blocked the construction project. In Horonobe, Hokkaido, where a disposal site is planned, the project is forced to be altered from building an intermediate facility to process high-level radioactive wastes to a site which 'nuclear' substance' is banned to enter. The Mutsu, a nuclear-powered ship was decommissioned.
The NSP inherits these anti-nuclear movements: it specifies 'nuclear power phase-out' in the party program, Declaration for 21st Century. The provision is found under the chapter, Policies for Medium Term.
The Alliance will cooperate with citizens to found the organization and the NSP shares the principle with them. The party, naturally, wants to 'occupy an honorable place' in enhancing the movements.
Expectations Seen
In Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, a stronghold of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the NSP won a seat in the recent local elections. The elected member of assembly will succeed his predecessor's policy against the nuclear power generation. In Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, the party has obtained a seat. The new assembly member, who has been active in the movement against the US military's policy to use the local port as a base of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has won after losing twice in the past elections. In Setagaya-Ward, Tokyo, the new mayor has won, appealing a phase-out policy of nuclear power generation. He is the first anti-nuclear mayor in Tokyo.
Certainly local assemblies are less influential, but as inhabitants raise awareness reforms go on in the assemblies to integrate people's aims. Administration is impossible, if it neglects consciousness of residents. Local assemblies and governments are a core to build up democratic politics.
A safety myth on nuclear power is smashed by the accident which has destroyed the facilities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Plant. The government has made a decision to suspend operation at the Hamaoka Plant, owned by the Chubu Electric Power Co. and situated inside the epicenter area of a possible earthquake in the Tokai Region, though the power station will stop service until the completion of preventive measures against earthquakes and tsunami. In Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, the local assembly adopted for the first time citizens' petition to demand more safety at the Genkai Power Plant. The local people have campaigned against the nuclear power generation. The local assembly of Imari City, next to Karatsu, unanimously has adopted a resolution to demand safety.
Let's work together to consolidate the anti-nuclear trend, decommission reactors and change government policies to use natural energy sources. Let's work hard to reinforce the Alliance to be successful.
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