US-made Packbot explores Fukushima Dai-Ichi Reactor 3 (Source: Reuters/TEPCO)
A Kyodo release, published in the Japan Times, adds another layer to the story of Japan’s missing robots in dealing with the crisis at Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant. The extracts below are the words of experts and officials quoted in the article, they make for interesting reading.
On March 17th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a list of requirements to the US government, “headlining the list was a request for robots — specifically, ones that could remove wreckage and measure radioactivity levels — as well as devices to inject water into the plant’s reactors.”
“It was the result of their realization that they could not deal with the crisis on their own,” a Foreign Ministry source said.
The article asserts that the lack of available Japanese robots for handling such a crisis has more to do with the government and private sector’s approach to the promoting the ideal of safe nuclear energy than anyone would comfortably like to believe:
But Hirofumi Nakamura, who leads the [Japan Atomic Energy Agency's] restoration assistance headquarters for the Fukushima plant, said, “Several months are required before the Japanese devices can be introduced at the Fukushima plant. Tepco sought ‘ready-made’ technology to be used immediately.”
A major reason hampering research and development in Japan is the safety myth of nuclear power plants, experts say.
Nakamura said both the state and researchers feel uncomfortable about engaging in research for “military purposes” and “accidents at nuclear plants.”
“While the state emphasizes the safety of nuclear plants to nearby residents, it does not encourage research into potential major accidents,” he said.
And just to emphasize the private sector’s role in this, it quotes an anonymous official:
A high-ranking ministry official, who declined to be named, said Tepco’s influence in government circles has made it taboo to question its decisions.
“Tokyo Electric Power is too big, and the state is also sensitive to it. Research that Tokyo Electric Power hates can never be promoted.”
Although it would have been nice to have been told which ministry this official belonged to, his words ring true with complaints about TEPCO’s marketing power and influence over entertainment outlets, such as demonstrated by the recent firing of Taro Yamamoto following his comments against nuclear energy.
Whatever has been hindering the development of reliable and necessary tools for dealing with catastrophic accidents, we can only hope that the recent crisis has reversed the obstacles – or at least that independent, enterprising engineers at home and abroad might pick up the task even without Japanese government or commercial backing. Not preparing for the worst in case it is dilutes a corporate or national message is simply unacceptable.
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A former contributor to World Intelligence (Japan Military Review), James Simpson joined Japan Security Watch in 2011, migrating with his blog Defending Japan. He has a Masters in Security Studies from Aberystwyth University and is currently living in Kawasaki, Japan.
His primary interests include the so-called 'normalization' of Japanese security (i.e. militarization), and the political impact of the abduction issue with North Korea.
James Simpson has 254 post(s) on Japan Security Watch
3 comments
Robert says:
Jun 8, 2011
Not preparing for worst case or any case is typical due to (yes I am going to go there again) the fact that the Japanese leadership is able to call big daddy U.S. any time they need to and this is always easier than actually having to make hard decisions and run a country competently.The U.S. encourages and cultivates this type of dependency because it serves the interest of the U.S.and that's to be expected. I still think that the Japan -U.S. Perpetual Dependency Treaty is the second worst thing to ever happen to Japan. I will reiterate the fact that Japan allowing this type of short circuiting of sovereignty is digraceful,disgusting and seemingly going to go on forever
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James Simpson says:
Jun 8, 2011
Thanks for the comment, but I don’t think the reliance on the US is a factor here – when it comes to Japanese security technology, the preference is always for homegrown products or at least licensed. In this case, however, the lack of funding and sponsorship due to the overall political/corporate message is at fault.
While some Japanese would agree with your view of the MST as short-circuiting sovereignty, many others (particularly bureaucrats, SDF members and mainstream politicians) would fall back on the Yoshida Doctrine – i.e. by passing the buck on its regional and international security commitments, the country was able to reach its current position, building its GDP so that that 1% spent on defence goes a lot further.
Horses for courses, politically speaking.
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Robert says:
Jun 9, 2011
I strongly believe that the J-U.S.Perpetual Dependence Treaty infects and informs almost every decision or lack thereof in the GOJ. This is a country that generates roughly one third of their electricity by nuclear means,they have a dwindling population,and they have a fair share of earthquakes, yet they don't have any means to remotely inspect a crippled reactor? Really? They make poor decisions because unlike other countries they have abdicated their decision making role.Why do they make infantile decisions or no decision at all in some cases,due to the MST. I would think that having no real say in international affairs that affect you,having an economy that appears to be in a perpetual funk,having your country defended by foreigners, and being up to your eyeballs in debt is not a position one should aspire to.
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