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Author	Topic: A Disaster Made in Japan	Post a Reply Back to Topics

NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,294 Points:1,649,905 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 11:29:44 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse It’s fitting that Japan (NKY) chose a medical doctor to diagnose what happened on 3/11, the shorthand used to describe last year’s earthquake and cataclysmic tsunami. Lawmakers didn’t tap a physicist to run a panel charged with explaining why the world almost lost Tokyo 16 months ago. They didn’t go with an engineer to investigate radiation leaks at the Fukushima power plants. No former Supreme Court justices were summoned to make sense of the madness of March 11, 2011, when events conspired to change the way we view nuclear power. Instead, officialdom entrusted the investigation to Tokyo University professor emeritus Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a man without significant ties to the energy industry. One can safely assume that bigwigs in Tokyo now regret that decision. Kurokawa has a lot to say Visit Bloomberg for full article

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Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 11:29:44 PM

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It’s fitting that Japan (NKY) chose a medical doctor to diagnose what happened on 3/11, the shorthand used to describe last year’s earthquake and cataclysmic tsunami.

Lawmakers didn’t tap a physicist to run a panel charged with explaining why the world almost lost Tokyo 16 months ago. They didn’t go with an engineer to investigate radiation leaks at the Fukushima power plants. No former Supreme Court justices were summoned to make sense of the madness of March 11, 2011, when events conspired to change the way we view nuclear power.

Instead, officialdom entrusted the investigation to Tokyo University professor emeritus Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a man without significant ties to the energy industry. One can safely assume that bigwigs in Tokyo now regret that decision. Kurokawa has a lot to say
Visit Bloomberg for full article

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LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,667 Points:1,229,950 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 11:11:04 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse A fascinating and insightful article...something I thought I would never read about the Japanese. Many thanks for posting NH!
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,214 Points:1,476,025 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 10:32:27 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse Interesting article. Thanks for posting, NHLiveFree.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:35,351 Points:2,399,070 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 5:47:06 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse more wasted academics
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,377 Points:1,412,040 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:53:18 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Thanks for sharing NHLiveFree. FROM THE ARTICLE: Fans of reactors are quick to point out that the science of nuclear power is sound. That’s true. Where trouble starts is when the most potent power source the world has ever known is put in the hands of fallible humans without checks and balances. Let’s remember, it was the managers at Tepco who put all of the plant’s backup generators underground in a nation wildly prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. Human error also was to blame for the 1999 Tokaimura nuclear accident caused by workers mixing radioactive materials in buckets. Nuclear enthusiasts point out that atomic power isn’t just safe, but cheap. Tell that to the devastated towns in northeastern Japan now facing extinction -- or the more than 100,000 people still living in temporary shelters. Until utility operators can elevate reactors on huge shock absorbers or construct them from rubber, Japan’s people will fear them. There’s a brilliant aspect to the Kurokawa report. It issues a variety of warnings to head off Japan’s tendency toward cosmetic solutions, such as replacing senior officials at regulatory agencies and power companies or changing their names. It highlights the difficulty that panel members had getting documents from regulators. It speaks to the dangers of lobbying.
jlf599 Veteran Author Kentucky Posts:339 Points:126,925 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 9:23:00 AM Ignore jlf599 Report Abuse The shame of it is that nuclear power is a great option...until humans get involved. :)
BigTruc All-Star Author Memphis Posts:993 Points:806,135 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 9:01:17 AM Ignore BigTruc Report Abuse Not surprising.
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,703 Points:755,005 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 8:48:49 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse ok
merlinCO Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,780 Points:369,095 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 8:30:26 AM Ignore merlinCO Report Abuse Bigb usiness still to blame with no oversight. o
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,360 Points:900,075 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 7:47:25 AM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse When will they learn.
FunMyster All-Star Author Indiana Posts:909 Points:73,480 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 7:38:10 AM Ignore FunMyster Report Abuse wow
qwerty17 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,760 Points:1,144,050 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 6:42:06 AM Ignore qwerty17 Report Abuse one mistake after another.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 6:29:24 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse ANY nuke is dicey.
Rockinrobby Veteran Author Tallahassee Posts:444 Points:276,990 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 6:13:51 AM Ignore Rockinrobby Report Abuse it's about energy...it relates
Caduceus26 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:4,036 Points:790,085 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 5:47:51 AM Ignore Caduceus26 Report Abuse Interesting how little news coverage we've had on this disaster in the last several months. There are lessons to be learned from these events and a well-informed public might raise a lot more questions concerning nuclear power if they understood the risks: especially the potential for human error.
ReddevilNO Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,481 Points:600,090 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 5:34:03 AM Ignore ReddevilNO Report Abuse Wow!
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,401 Points:2,475,810 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 5:29:58 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse Putting the government in charge is not much better.
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,199 Points:470,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 3:07:43 AM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Devastating for Japan.
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:10,252 Points:2,376,305 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 2:40:11 AM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse It really makes it hard on the establishment when a person with nothing to lose is in charge.
UseLessGasFolks Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,586 Points:1,323,550 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:56:13 AM Ignore UseLessGasFolks Report Abuse There has to be safer places to build them in Japan.
Cableman66 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,252 Points:518,560 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:30:45 AM Ignore Cableman66 Report Abuse It will be just like Simpson - Boles report. Draws dust cause the powers to be don't like it.
VanIsleLes All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:898 Points:295,295 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:24:42 AM Ignore VanIsleLes Report Abuse Hopefully some solutions will come of it all, my heart goes out to those that have suffered.
LostToo Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,392 Points:975,315 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:21:27 AM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse I have been wondering how Japland has been getting on since that triple threat they had. I hope they are getting things close to normal again. Nobody deserves all of that bad luck at once. They are pretty much a superstitious people aren't they? I wonder what the wizards there are saying? There needs to be a show on TV about that stuff. I am curious to know how they are getting on.
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,922 Points:1,655,160 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:21:26 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse Sometimes a different viewpoint makes all the difference.
blk911 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,928 Points:775,290 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:17:58 AM Ignore blk911 Report Abuse Who cares??
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,516 Points:1,922,785 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:16:03 AM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse Just what we wanted to hear
Retowered Champion Author Colorado Posts:8,717 Points:2,713,115 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:14:40 AM Ignore Retowered Report Abuse Interesting.
grouch311 Champion Author Peoria Posts:6,386 Points:1,597,865 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:14:13 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse doesn't do much about gas prices
Rooster922 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:3,925 Points:682,795 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:12:50 AM Ignore Rooster922 Report Abuse Fine.
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,480 Points:719,425 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:12:20 AM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse ok
chicoCA Champion Author California Posts:2,118 Points:1,802,110 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:10:05 AM Ignore chicoCA Report Abuse okay
carlsonguitars Champion Author Portland Posts:4,876 Points:825,980 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:08:06 AM Ignore carlsonguitars Report Abuse Nuclear isn't all that and a bag of potato chips.... Wind, solar, geothermal, wave - those are all great sources (of course, in the right place is KEY to the success). Believe me, I understand NIMBY- but on the other hand I also like clean air and cheap energy (ya, I know coal is cheaper, but not THAT much cheaper!!!)
OilOnTheCheap Champion Author Ventura Posts:2,255 Points:477,735 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:03:46 AM Ignore OilOnTheCheap Report Abuse A real shock for some in Japan that there is not going to be a “whitewash”
Rich1430 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:764 Points:277,500 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 1:02:02 AM Ignore Rich1430 Report Abuse I get the impression from reading this article that the Doctor heading this report has hopefully done something good to help Japan possibly turn it future around and head it in the right direction. My sympathies still go out those those who lost loved ones and their possessions due to the massive earthquake and tsunami and those still suffering from it's effects even 16 months later.
gmcgas Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,094 Points:1,741,870 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:55:11 AM Ignore gmcgas Report Abuse hummmmmmmm, maybe they are copying us too well.
Dremwolf Veteran Author Jacksonville Posts:476 Points:94,370 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:54:46 AM Ignore Dremwolf Report Abuse The article states teh obvious, in Japan no one in a low level position questions authority. The big bosses must know what is right because they are the boss. To question them would bring shame upon you and your entire family.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,494 Points:677,915 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:53:03 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Sounds like D.C. ... too many lobbyists.
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,555 Points:507,225 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:50:19 AM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse weird...
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,576 Points:2,034,945 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:50:05 AM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse Selected for a viewpoint that does not materialize.
Eugenian Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,007 Points:389,830 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:46:44 AM Ignore Eugenian Report Abuse G.E. and the U.S. nuclear industry promised "too cheap to meter" to win approval and massive taxpayer subsidies of nuclear plants. Where's our "too cheap to meter" power?
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,400 Points:615,595 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:45:58 AM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Interesting....
lunarrv15 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:15,063 Points:2,410,085 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:45:16 AM Ignore lunarrv15 Report Abuse okay...interesting thanks for posting
bcok Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,181 Points:1,555,520 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:44:12 AM Ignore bcok Report Abuse Hope it does some good not only for Japan but for all other reactors sites.
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:9,213 Points:1,999,640 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:42:13 AM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse That's what happens when you send in the fox to guard the hen-house.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,686 Points:1,197,290 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:41:07 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse The article states and questions; "Our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority; our devotion to sticking with the program; our groupism; and our insularity.” ??????????????????????? WOW!
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,765 Points:1,571,190 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:38:58 AM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse This is a disaster that may be to late to fix.
dky63 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:417 Points:166,965 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:38:48 AM Ignore dky63 Report Abuse nuclear power is the way to go ! build reactor like on aircraft xarriers and subs, they can take a hit.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,120 Points:1,137,585 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:37:04 AM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Still think they should have a air lift plan for generators to keep the water pumps running???
wally52 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:27,767 Points:842,290 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:36:41 AM Ignore wally52 Report Abuse A good article.
gasmack Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,752 Points:679,840 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:28:55 AM Ignore gasmack Report Abuse Good for the Dr. Hope his paper can begin to reverse the cultural norms. TOYOTA MAY TAKE NOTE AND FIX THEIR REAL PROBLEMS.
sammy518 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,589 Points:539,790 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 12:28:14 AM Ignore sammy518 Report Abuse keep talking Doc, the world is listening!