German physicist visits Iwaijima Island in Yamaguchi Prefecture, site of proposed nuclear power plant
Mar. 2, 2015
by Ryutaro Inoue, Staff Writer
Sebastian Pflugbeil, a German physicist and expert on radiation, visited the town of Kaminoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture on February 24. The Chugoku Electric Power Company plans to build a nuclear power plant in Kaminoseki. Stopping on Iwaijima Island, where there is opposition to the plant, and other locations, Mr. Pflugbeil said, “Nuclear power plants have many downsides, such as the disposal of radioactive waste. I don’t think any more nuclear power plants should be constructed.”
Dr. Pflugbeil is the former head of the German federal office for radiation protection, and now the president of the German Society for Radiation Protection. His expertise covers health concerns linked to radiation from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. He made the trip together with 20 young Germans who are living in Japan as overseas volunteers.
On Iwaijima Island, where the planned construction site is by the sea, citizens of the opposition group stressed their fear of an accident and the impact on fishing. At the town health center, town officials explained the background behind seeking construction of the nuclear power plant, which could create employment opportunities and bring financial benefits, including subsidies provided by the Japanese government.
The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi (No. 1) nuclear power plant in March of 2011 prompted Germany to end the use of nuclear energy as an energy source. Dr. Pflugbeil said, “Natural energy, such as wind power, accounts for a large part of Germany’s energy output now. I’m sure, given Japan’s strong technological capability, that this could be achieved here, too.”
(Originally published on February 25, 2015）
Sebastian Pflugbeil, a German physicist and expert on radiation, visited the town of Kaminoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture on February 24. The Chugoku Electric Power Company plans to build a nuclear power plant in Kaminoseki. Stopping on Iwaijima Island, where there is opposition to the plant, and other locations, Mr. Pflugbeil said, “Nuclear power plants have many downsides, such as the disposal of radioactive waste. I don’t think any more nuclear power plants should be constructed.”
Dr. Pflugbeil is the former head of the German federal office for radiation protection, and now the president of the German Society for Radiation Protection. His expertise covers health concerns linked to radiation from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. He made the trip together with 20 young Germans who are living in Japan as overseas volunteers.
On Iwaijima Island, where the planned construction site is by the sea, citizens of the opposition group stressed their fear of an accident and the impact on fishing. At the town health center, town officials explained the background behind seeking construction of the nuclear power plant, which could create employment opportunities and bring financial benefits, including subsidies provided by the Japanese government.
The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi (No. 1) nuclear power plant in March of 2011 prompted Germany to end the use of nuclear energy as an energy source. Dr. Pflugbeil said, “Natural energy, such as wind power, accounts for a large part of Germany’s energy output now. I’m sure, given Japan’s strong technological capability, that this could be achieved here, too.”
(Originally published on February 25, 2015）
