VIDEO Daily life in Fukushima: 'It was like visiting another universe'

[whoosh]

Jan Beranek, who is with a team of Greenpeace activists investigating the fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, says Japanese are encouraged to return to their normal lives unaware of the dangers they face in the contaminated area. "I personally find it very disturbing, because on the one hand you see the Japanese authorities forcing people and society to get back to normal... And yet at the same time there are still extremely high levels of radiation and the contamination of the soil, and also potentially in the food," the activist told RT. "This is just unbelievable because at those levels of exposure it certainly poses a risk to the lives and health of the people. If you draw a parallel to the Chernobyl disaster, then actually the Soviets decided to evacuate everyone living in the place, where radiation was three or four times lower than what we see in Fukushima City today," added Beranek, who personally visited the Chernobyl area after the 1986 disaster. Greenpeace is putting pressure on the Japanese government to gather and provide more information about the contamination in addition to doing its independent effort, Beranek said. "We've actually forced the government to, for example, extend the monitoring of the sea. And we also hear that the government is now revising at least some of the protective measures for children, which is definitely good to see. Yet the government is too slow and doing too little actually [compared to] what the situation would deserve," he said. The activist hopes the consequences of the Fukushima disaster will make Japan and other nations change their stance on nuclear energy and phase it out. There is such change already in Germany, Italy and Switzerland. "Nuclear power, as we have seen, is inherently unsafe. There is always an unpredictable combination of natural catastrophe, technological failure, human error that can result in a situation when a reactor gets out of control very fast. It's a question of a few hours before full meltdown happens. It's unsafe to take the bets and continue with nuclear power," Beranek believes.

 

[ChatGPT]

Jan Beranek Discusses Fukushima Radiation Concerns In this insightful clip, Jan Beranek, a Greenpeace activist, discusses the troubling fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster and underscores the ongoing risks posed to the Japanese population. He notes that government efforts encourage a sense of normalcy, which contrasts sharply with the severe contamination and radiation levels still present in the area. Beranek implies that such an approach is naive and potentially harmful, referencing the historical response to the Chernobyl disaster, where evacuations were ordered at lower radiation levels than those currently found in Fukushima City. Beranek emphasizes that while tangible actions, such as extending sea monitoring and revising protective measures for children, are indicative of some progress, the overall response from the Japanese government remains inadequate. He argues for a greater urgency in addressing the contamination issues, stressing that the situation demands a more robust governmental response. Moreover, Beranek expresses hope that the catastrophic consequences of Fukushima will prompt Japan and other nations to reconsider their reliance on nuclear energy, a sentiment echoed by shifts in policy observed in countries like Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, which are moving away from nuclear power. He points out that nuclear energy comes with inherent risks, including unpredictable natural disasters and human error, which can swiftly lead to reactor meltdowns. In summary, Beranek calls for heightened awareness and systematic changes in nuclear policy, advocating for safety and health above all. The tone of concern is clear, making it evident that ongoing vigilance and action are essential in the aftermath of such disasters. What are your thoughts on nuclear energy post-Fukushima? Do you agree with Beranek’s perspective on the need for systemic change in energy policy? Share your insights below!