WSJ: "Murky Science Clouded Japan Nuclear Response"

The Wall Street Journal, in an article entitled "Murky Science Clouded Japan Nuclear Response," has reported that the villagers of Iitate, just 17 miles downwind of the radiation-spewing Fukushima Daiichi triple meltdown, were left in the dark, without warning from the Japanese government, regarding dangerously high levels of radioactive contamination that had blown onto their home and fallen out with snow beginning just four days after the accident began, on March 15th. The evacuation order was not given until April 22nd, nearly six weeks into the nuclear catastrophe.

Japan Nuclear Agency in New Storm

"The Japanese government disclosed reports Friday showing that its primary nuclear regulator [NISA] tried to manipulate public opinion at forums to promote nuclear power, findings that further damage the industry's already tattered reputation.

NISA had asked nuclear utilities to "seed" public events with utility employees and pro nuclear people and attempted to have the utility "give them supportive questions they could ask."

"NISA has been attacked by industry critics for having been too lax and too close to nuclear-plant operators ever since details of the March 11 events at Fukushima began to emerge." Wall Street Journal

"Uncanny Terrain," a documentary about organic farmers facing Japan's nuclear crisis

"Uncanny Terrain" is a documentary in progress, about organic farmers facing Japan's nuclear catastrophe. A Chicago-based, Japanese American film making team will spend up to a year in the radioactively contaminated regions of northeast Japan downwind of the devastated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which is still releasing radioactive steam onto the winds nearly five months after the radioactive catastrophe began. Fukushima and neighboring prefectures are famous for their small, family-run, independent organic farms. Husband and wife team Junko Kajino and Ed M. Koziarski have already captured powerful video testimonies, and are requesting monetary donations to enable them to continue their work.

New Japan law "cleanses" bad nuclear news

"Friday, July 15, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (METI) – Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, opened a call for bids (tender) regarding the 'Nuclear Power Safety Regulation Publicity Project', for contractors to monitor blogs and tweets posted about nuclear power and radiation.

The project stipulates that the contractor shall '...monitor blogs on nuclear power and radiation issues as well as Twitter accounts (monitoring tweets is essential) around the clock, and conduct research and analysis on incorrect and inappropriate information that would lead to false rumors, and to report such internet accounts to the Agency. The Contractor is required to keep the Agency well informed on the internet accounts and keywords used in the blogs and Twitter accounts that are posting incorrect and inappropriate information.' " UK Progressive

Update on August 1, 2011 by admin

Fukushima Teacher Muzzled on Radiation Risks for School Children

"Toshinori Shishido, a Japanese literature teacher of 25 years, had warned his students two months ago to wear surgical masks and keep their skin covered with long-sleeved shirts. His advice went unheeded, not because of the weather but because his school told him not to alarm students. Shishido quit this week.

“ 'I want to get away from this situation where I’m not even allowed to alert children about radiation exposure,' said Shishido, a 48-year-old teacher who taught at Fukushima Nishi High School. 'Now I’m free to talk about the risks.' ” Bloomberg

Japanese support PM's call to do away with nuclear power: poll

"More than two-thirds of Japanese support Prime Minister Naoto Kan's call to do away with nuclear power, a media poll showed on Sunday, underscoring growing opposition to atomic energy in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant." Reuters