Celebrate Japan's ZERO nuclear power plant day: May 5, 2012

I am so thrilled and overjoyed by the fact on the midnight of May 5, 2012 Japan time, Hokkaido Electric Company will shut down Tomari #3 nuclear reactor for the regular check up, meaning the last operating nuclear power plant in Japan is stopping.

 We have 54 nuclear plants in Japan and now only one plant in Hokkaido is operating, no plant in Honshu, Shikoku and Kyusyu islands are operating, which is a surprise to many people around the world.

 They ask, "How can Japan manage without nuclear power? It has no other energy and needed nuclear energy to meet its demand!".

 Well, the truth is that every nuclear power has its back up power plant and we do not need to use nuclear power at all in Japan if we chose so.  Even without using these back up plants, by operating existing hydro and fossil fuel power plants, we have enough capacity to cover Japanese energy demand.

 This fact is finally getting to be known to ordinary citizens, who have been deceived over 3 decades. We just believed we could not live without nuclear power plants as we have been told so for too long by too many sources: governments and media.

 But it was not TRUE at all.

In fact, after 3.11 Fukushima accident 2011, Tokyo electric company has been supplying enough energy with most of its nuclear power shutting down since 3.11. They have only 3 nuclear reactors operating out of 17 reactors after 3.11, 2011.  We have had no energy shortage since then.

They used natural gas, petroleum, coal and hydro power instead. I would prefer they increase natural gas combined cycle power plants as they are the most efficient existing and reliable energy sources in Japan.

How long have I been waiting for this day of ZERO nuclear power plant in Japan?---For decades.

Since the day I first learned about the danger of nuclear power plants and its waste, which we have no place to put or no technology to manage.

Since the day I learned nuclear power plants needed workers always exposed to some amount of radiation.

Since the day I learned about Japan's nuclear reactors were not strong enough to withstand big earthquakes over 600 gals, and Japan's big earthquakes exceed 600 gals.

Since the day I learned about the children living around nuclear power plants are more susceptible to leukemia and cancer even if there is no accident, as small amount of radiation is released every single day to the environment.

May 5 in Japan is Children's Day. I think this is the best gift Japan can give to the world children and future generations.   So, please join us for the big celebration.  I mean to ask/help our government to go more sustainable and ecological energy choices.  Join me in this effort.

The zero operating nuclear power plant in Japan does not mean that our government gave up nuclear power. It is just the regular check up, and they would like to restart operation as soon as they have agreements from local governments (governors) that have nuclear power plants, such as Fukui, Shizuoka, Ehime, Niigata, Shimane, Ibaragi, Saga, Kagoshima, Miyagi, Aomori and Hokkaido.

But Japanese people have learned how much harm just one server nuclear accident can cause to the people's lives and nature. Our voice and awareness against nuclear power is raising steadily.

On that day here in Kona, Hawaii (May 4, 6pm), I am inviting people to celebrate the ZERO nuclear power of Japan at Harmonics Life Hawaii. If you live in/near Kona, please contact me by e-mail. It is a potluck so bring a dish you like.

To read this in Japanese, go to: http://kikuchiyumi.blogspot.com/2012/05/blog-post.html