Fukushima – A Lurking Global Catastrophe?

For over a decade, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown has been a stark reminder of the dangers of nuclear fission. In 2011, the disaster began and has since grown worse. Scientists are still unsure of the full extent of the damage, and the Japanese government has estimated that it will take four decades and cost ¥8 trillion to clean up. It is believed that the fuel melted into or through the containment vessel’s concrete floor, and determining the radioactivity and location of the fuel is a crucial step in the removal process. 

The potential global catastrophe of the reactor No. 2 at Fukushima Daiichi is a major concern, and the Abe administration is attempting to repopulate portions of the prefecture in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This raises the question of whether it is safe to hold the games in the vicinity of three out-of-control nuclear meltdowns. The Tokyo Electric Power Company has recently reported that radiation levels in Unit 2 are off-the-charts, at 530 Sieverts, enough to kill within minutes. 

The long-term effects of radiation are also a cause for concern. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is a prime example, with over 453,391 children receiving special healthcare due to radiation-related medical problems. Furthermore, the Fukushima Daiichi site is in an earthquake-prone area, and a major tremor could cause further destruction and spread debris, making the Tokyo metropolitan area uninhabitable. 

It is clear that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown is an ongoing global threat, and the potential consequences of holding the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in its vicinity are still unknown.

The greater Tokyo metropolitan area remains threatened by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, which could remain out of control for generations. Earthquakes in Japan are frequent, and the Nankai Trough, which lies nearly directly below Tokyo, could cause a major earthquake within the next few decades. The complex is structurally damaged and could collapse if an earthquake greater than seven on the Richter scale were to occur, leading to a massive release of radiation. The site is located at the base of a mountain range, from which radioactive water flows into the Pacific Ocean, carrying isotopes such as cesium 134, cesium 137, strontium 90, tritium, plutonium and americium. These isotopes can bio-concentrate up the food chain, leading to cancer and death. 

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have raised questions about the safety of the Fukushima plant and the truthfulness of Prime Minister Abe’s assurances. Despite the risks, nuclear power is expanding and growing, with sixty reactors currently under construction in fifteen countries. The potential dangers of nuclear power must be taken seriously, as evidenced by the deaths and illnesses caused by the Fukushima disaster. The world community must ensure that nuclear power is used responsibly and safely.


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