I have always been fascinated by Chernobyl. I couldn't point out what exactly interested me, was it the effects of an enormous power gone out of control? The easiness with which humans could destroy themselves and the planet? The spark of genius that led to the invention of nuclear technologies? I couldn't say. I didn't try to better understand nuclear technology, I just felt content with watching Chernobyl documentaries, watch the desolate area and wonder about the danger hidden deep inside, and marvel at the surrounding nature that tries to reclaim its course. This interest waned for a while, until I regained it by, you will laugh, playing the STALKER games. There was something in them, the atmosphere, that rekindled my earlier fascination with Chernobyl. This also prompted me to watch the movie and read the novel. But I will get more to the point of this post now. Just wanted to add some background to this post.
When the earthquake in Japan happened in 2011, I followed the developments more keenly than I would have for another disaster because I had a personal connection with the country, having been there and knowing people there. Eventually, the things improved somewhat, and I was impressed by the Japanese ability to recover and move forward in such a short time. I was also relieved to see that none of my friends there were hurt. Then I stopped looking into it, feeling that things were under control. I also didn't exhibit the same interest for Fukushima as I did for Chernobyl. I was happy to see things didn't escalate in an even more serious disaster, and let it go.
To my shame, the reason I am writing this now and looked more into it after 3 years since the initial incident is not some sudden scientific interest, or detached curiosity. Being convinced that all is well, I didn't feel the need to investigate it further. But I've been granted a scholarship, and I am going to move to Tokyo shortly, for a period of 1.5 years. And someone brought up to me the discussion about Fukushima and the danger of radiation in the Eastern area of Japan. In my comfortable ignorance, I was surprised by this and quickly wanted to discard it by proving that the crisis is over and all is well. And what better way to do that than some quick research on the internet?
That was 2 days ago, and what I thought would be a 30 min break from my other activities, turned out to be 2 full days of reading, watching, and talking about what I discovered. And the more I did that, the more worried I became. And the more I marveled about how I stayed so blissfully ignorant about such a matter, even though I knew I would be going to Tokyo for some time.
However, this is the internet, and one can't take everything at face value. I always laughed at the doomsday preachers and the people who expected apocalypse because it was predicted by X, the planets are aligned in the Y formation, and all such nonsense (in my opinion). But when I tried to ascertain whether Fukushima is a danger to Tokyo, it actually became clear that it's a much higher danger to the entire world than I thought.
Below I will drop some links with a quick summary. But I am not knowledgeable in such matters. As such, I may not be able to discern accurate information from fabricated lies / overreaction / mere speculations. What worries me might be quickly disregarded by people with more know-how. Of course, I would be happy if that were the case.
# Physician warning about the contamination of the soil and food in Tokyo
http://www.naturalnews.com/046112_radiation_fukushima_tokyo.html# Rising cancer cases attributed to Fukushima radiation
http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2014/04/07/japanese-physicians-link-spike-in-cancer-to-fukushima-radiation/# Fragments from Japanese newspapers (in English of course) about the situation at Fukushima
http://enenews.com/pro-nuclear-newspaper-seriousness-current-situation-fukushima-be-understated-report-unmitigated-radiation-pouring-pacific-video-dont-stop-radioactive-leaks-never-stop?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter# The title says it all
http://en.ria.ru/analysis/20140823/192281175/Physicists-Say-Fukushima-Reactors-Pose-Eternal-Threat-to.html# More information about Fukushima, including the government trying to withhold information from the public (what a surprise)
https://news.vice.com/article/no-one-wants-you-to-know-how-bad-fukushima-might-still-be# Symptoms attributed to radiation
http://enenews.com/time-doctor-links-recent-outbreaks-mysterious-rashes-fukushima-cancer-specialist-societal-pressure-mention-word-radiation-video-huge-number-cancers-already-govt-actively-engaged-safety-propagand# Some of the lies of TEPCO (the company responsible for Fukushima maintenance and cleanup)
http://enenews.com/japan-times-sources-reveal-fukushima-radiation-cover-up-tepco-has-hid-data-on-about-record-levels-since-july-official-something-like-this-cannot-happenhttp://www.naturalnews.com/041881_fukushima_radiation_leaks_deception.htmlMost, if not all of these, are from 2014, so fairly recent and relevant, in my opinion.
And here are some more random things that I recall reading:
- Tepco was falsifying documents pertaining to nuclear plants, to avoid costs and inspections. To lower the costs, they apparently used duct tape to seal some leaking pipes inside the plant. They also knew about the reactors entering meltdown after the earthquake, but insisted all is well and didn't report it until some time after
- One of the ways the Japanese government has tried to persuade its citizens that there is no danger was by telling them to smile, because radiation doesn't affect happy people (this is too good so here's a link)
http://www.naturalnews.com/041720_fukushima_radiation_japanese_government_propaganda_brainwashing.html- The destruction of the plant by an earthquake or the incapacity of the authorities to keep cooling the reactors might turn into a worldwide disaster that would affect the entire world. Also, the radiation released would render North America and Canada uninhabitable (again, this is something I have no sufficient knowledge to comment about)
- The Pacific ocean is poisoned by the contaminated water that is being tossed down into the ocean ( I read somewhere about figures like 200 to 400 gallons every day).
- There is no international organization helping Japan to solve this crisis, mainly because the Japanese are refusing assistance? I don't know if that is the case, but how could the other countries of the world stay silent in the wake of such an ongoing disaster, and with the potential to do even more destruction? This I find terrifying, if it really is the case.
- If you ask the Japan government, all is well. The radiation in Tokyo is lower than in other cities of the world. The rice grown in Fukushima after rice paddy decontamination is tested and perfectly safe to eat. The situation is under control.
There is much more to this subject, but the length of this post exceeds safety limits already ( I picked up some nuclear lingo, it seems).
I don't have a conclusion, or even a question to end this post with (there would be too many of them). I am just wondering about what might be true, and what are just exaggerations born of fear. Of course, I am also thinking about my safety. The media coverage is very modest when it comes to what might be a bigger nuclear disaster than Chernobyl. In Japan, that may be understandable, because they apparently have a law that spells prison for sharing what they deem state sensitive information. It's called the state secrets law or something like that. But I can't believe the rest of the world is ignoring this. Unless the danger really isn't that serious. Wouldn't that be good, but I am skeptical.
