On May 5, Day of Children, all of the nuclear power reactors across the country will stop operation. The cessation must not be temporary. We must keep campaigning till operation is abandoned at all the nuclear sites in the nation, overcoming lies and threats spread by the nuclear mafia. So that children can enjoy a life of their own, we must fight against nuclear power.


A GIFT FOR CHILDREN


From May 6 nuclear power generation will be zero for a moment - these are words uttered by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Edano Yukio. Anti-nuclear civic movements have worked effectively on governors of Shiga and Kyoto Prefectures, who in fact prevent the government from ordering to restart operation at the No.3 and No.4 power reactors at Ooi Plant, Fukui Prefecture, of Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) before the last reactor at Tomari, Hokkaido, goes into a regular inspection. The Minister's comment reflects frustration of the government, a chief of political section of the nuclear mafia.


Political Wing of Nuclear Mafia


Mr. Sengoku Yoshito, Acting Chairman of Policy Bureau of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, has controlled over the political section of the nuclear mafia, taking advantage of his close ties with people in utility companies, bosses of the mafia. He used to say in the threatening way: 'we cannot live in the pitch-dark' and 'suspension of nuclear operation means a collective suicide of the nation'. People, however, have now clearly found the words a lie. 'Mythology on safety' and 'indispensable nuclear energy' - they are fabulous, too. People have learnt that the mafia prefers immediate profits to a human life.


People have learnt, too, to estimate that they can spend, without shortage of electricity, several hours on several days during the hottest time in summer when a peak demand comes: thermal stations could work on full-capacity operation, hydro-electricity might rely on a pump storage system, power companies could accommodate electricity with one another and non-utility power generation could be promoted. Consumers can make energy-saving efforts.


Osaka Mayor Hashimoto's Real Objective


Mayor Hashimoto Toru has behaved flamboyantly to demonstrate his anti-nuclear position. But his performance does not mean to end nuclear power operation in a real term, but represents a kind of propaganda to attract attention to win votes in the national level elections. He himself does not hide a real intention, saying that he will see 'which option voters will take in the coming elections'.


If he really doe not wants resumption of operation at the KEPCO's nuclear sites, he would not have dismissed a draft bill of ordinance on local plebiscite concerning the nuclear issue. He actually has buried the residents' aspiration when he took an initiative of the Osaka-Ishin-no-Kai, his political group, to present a letter of advisory opinion of Mayor, which says 'it is unnecessary to issue a decree' (March 27).


If an ordinance had been issued and a referendum had been held in Osaka, far greater impacts would have worked on the political scene than a bluff of a rebellious man could have done. It is not surprising, if he soon negotiates with mafia bosses behind the closed doors in order to collect money for elections.


Mayor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro advocates nuclear power, and he will scrap a draft bill for referendum in Tokyo to inquire the issue. A draft will be presented by the end of May to the assembly.


Not Temporarily but For Ever


We do not want temporary suspension. We go on a path to abandon nuclear power forever. The Japanese archipelago is prone to earthquakes. We have only one present to give children on the Day of Children - to abandon nuclear power. We cannot bear radio-active contamination of food. We cannot stand polluted air, water, lands and forests. We cannot let our children suffer with spent nuclear fuel that keeps doing harm them for hundreds of thousand years, if we increase wastes in an irresponsible manner.


It will cost us extraordinarily high, beyond our estimates, to stock and control spent fuel for a very long time. That will surge dramatically the electricity cost. Nuclear energy will be more expensive than thermal, hydro, wind or geo-thermal energy sources. It will be more expensive than today's solar energy.


Japan is left completely behind in developing renewable energy sources. No discussion is necessary to hasten the process. Nuclear energy can be abandoned permanently. We do not need to wait till new energy sources are available. We will live a life, relying on the more intensified thermal power operation for a while. This is the best present for children on May 5.


May 1, 2012