Actress Sayuri Yoshinaga campaigns against nuclear power

How much research Sayuri Yoshinaga and these "mothers" conducted prior to coming to this final conclusion.

Yoshinaga states "I've heard work is progressing on a prototype of a truly terrifying technology called a fast-breeder reactor. We don't even know enough about running normal nuclear power plants yet."

Nuff said!

I'm afraid Homer Simpson and Mr. Burns know more about nuclear energy than these idiots at Tokyo Electric! Do bless Mrs Ykshonagas heart! You go girl!!!

Sorry, just had to run down the store for a bag of Kirin Grapefruit Chu-his

Get a room already to continue your chat session!

So she's in favor of burning more fossil fuels? Or what. Seems like a vague platitude.

We can't even generate energy properly as it is, why bother trying anything new. Get real.

JeffLee is right. And Monju isn't just a domestic issue -- a government energy/business plan to export a technology (FBRs) that can fabricate plutonium to unstable countries like Jordan, Vietnam (deals on the table) is a global issue.

The established experts aren't to be believed

Exactly Japan's "established experts" should NOT believed. Read up on Monju. The web of lies and cover ups committed by the scientists, operators and technicians throughout Monju's sorry history is documented by the government, which issued reprimands and punishments.

Anyway, I'm tired of supporting my argument by citing such specific examples to prove my point, when CERTAIN POSTERS who argue with me don't even bother -- because they can't.

On the IAEA website at 2 pm on March 14, the report read that the reactors "were in a cold shutdown state", these reports went through Tepco and NISA.

I don't agree ... she has done something admirable here

But she HAS done something admirable. Japanese celebrities have long been forced to remain silent on this issue. Here's one example: When RC Succession did an anti nuke power song in the 80s, their album was pulled and cancelled by Toshiba. USNinJapan2 and other posters need to know a bit more history and background on this issue.

As for the "experts," I recall they were telling us Fukushima was being "stabilized" way back on March 18. What a joke!!

USNinJapan2

Sorry, just had to run down the store for a bag of Kirin Grapefruit Chu-his.

What's wrong with polemics? --Good point, in keeping with my hero Christopher Hitchens, polemics are certainly more engaging than the dull meanderings of reality.

If you were Sayuri Yoshinaga, would you feel that you knew enough about the issue of nuclear power generation in Japan to speak intelligently on the subject with any authority? -- Is she an authority? I don't think she claims to be an authority on nuclear issues. And in a democracy, and in regards to basic questions about energy, should not average citizens be able to express their views? Certainly the nuclear industry in Japan has set a low standard with flat-out lies about the risks of nuclear energy (as published in school curriculum for elementary students in Japanese through MEXT).

That is to say, who in your view can talk about nuclear issues? Take for example the first couple of weeks after 3/11 -- on every Japanese news station nuclear experts promised that there was no risk of a meltdown, and that the evacuation zone was adequate. Had these nuclear experts consulted with the TEPCO plant manager on March 12 (who was pumping seawater from an early stage) or if NISA wasn't compromised, then proactive measures could have been taken that may have greatly reduced the damage. That is to ask -- in hindsight, what nuclear expert should have been trusted?

NattoToday

What's wrong with polemics? Regardless of my personal views on nuclear power, I don't agree with the posters above who feel that she has done something admirable here. There's not much to debate, hence polemics it is.

If you were Sayuri Yoshinaga, would you feel that you knew enough about the issue of nuclear power generation in Japan to speak intelligently on the subject with any authority? In front of the media? Do you think this is responsible behavior? Maybe at tea with acquaintances but in the public light? The fact that she made these comments against nuclear power at an anti-nuclear weapons 'peace conference' in Hiroshima on A-bomb Week (TM) should be your first clue that she isn't capable of differentiating between the issue of nuclear proliferation and the issue of nuclear power safety in Japan. Like I said, someone like this publically endorsing a cause with no expertise or authority isn't what I would want for a cause I support.

USNinJapan2, I am curious, in your view who can speak about nuclear issues? And why do you insist on dividing the issue into polemics? For example, I am not anti-nuclear. I love the benefits of caesium in my windows, but I don't like Tepco-ish regulation that has caused yet-to-be-told cancer cases in children living near the Fukushima plant.

Those of you who claim to have an anti-nuclear stance should be angry that someone with such total lack of credentials and expertise is a mouthpiece for you cause. This is almost as Yoko Ono capitalizing on her dead husband's name (as usual) in the name of peace and victimhood in Nagasaki today.

Nuclear energy is not a peace issue

When it was dumped from the Enola Gay it was!

I agree with the basic sentiment, but I think these people need to see the difference between "peace" and "safety". Nuclear energy is not a peace issue, at least not in the sense that they're talking about it. By mixing these causes together they end up just spouting a bunch of, well, platitudes.

“People often talk about using nuclear power in a peaceful or harmonious way, but to me that sounds like a vague platitude.”

Exactly, SY-san! You go tell 'm!! Tell 'm how it is... Tell 'm the truth!! A platitude it is! Not at all interesting and totally 100% vague. I'd go as far as to call it a contradiction. Peaceful - Nuclear Power. Pfffffff..... Harmonious - Nuclear power. Pffffff.... Where's the peace?? Where's the harmony??? It's an anomaly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The woman has little idea of what she is talking about. She's 'heard' of something?

I've 'heard' of many things.

I've heard of many things, too. Like a vast area of Northern Japan being a no-go area and likely to remain so for many, many years to come, people driven from their homes and jobs, animals abandoned to starve, hot spots, spikes of radiation, contaminated water, milk, tea, fish, meat, soil.

I've heard more than enough.

Dennis, you forgot to mention the daily chores of learning the names of new isotopes and budgeting for the future clean-up, the nuclear industry is not paying for that, we are.

@2020hingsights

Actually they do know enough.

Yeah, those Einsteins at Tokaimura using buckets to mix highly dangerous radioactive materials really knew their stuff. My condolences to their families.

Im tired of people "campaigning" against nuclear power...but they sure do love to go home at night and turn on their TV's, Air Conditioners, and video games. Not to mention wash their clothing and other day to day chores.....

More people from different backgrounds should speak out on nuclear power

Yeah, it's great to here from people who don't know what they are talking about.

We don’t even know enough about running normal nuclear power plants yet. We should be learning that first.

Actually they do know enough. The problem is TEPCO has constantly cut corners and not implemented enough safeguards. Japan already has fast breeder reactors; it's not new.

Nuclear power generation is great until an accident occurs and then you have a disaster of ridiculous proportions like we have now in Japan. It's truly unfortunate that alternative energy sources cannot replace nuclear power at this time.

The woman has little idea of what she is talking about. She's 'heard' of something?

I've 'heard' of many things.

Save it Sayuri and spare the rest of us. Stick to what you know please, acting and reciting poetry...

your comment sounds arrogant

Her comments about nuclear power make more sense to me than the comments coming from the experts of NISA, for example

More people from different backgrounds should speak out on nuclear power

For heaven's sake, Hydrogen is just a way to store and maybe transport energy. It takes more energy (electricity) to make it from water than you get back by burning it. And the electricity comes from ???

Hydrogen is the way to go ! I know Japan could be the leaders in hydrogen engines and other various uses. You crack distilled water and bingo, you got more horsepower then you can imagine ! Nuclear is like the Titanic, it's bound to sink !

Imagine a tax free, benefits intensive zone that invites the best and brightest from around the world to develop alternative and natural energy solutions. Who knows what would come from that process.

This is the wrong approach. If you give tax and other benefits it will lead the research in the wrong direction. And what are 'natural energy' solutions? Nuclear energy is natural. So are hydro, wind and geothermal. An they all have a massive impact on the environment.

To me IMHO when nuclear plants are not taken care of, and have incompetence running them. It can be a weapon. Look what is going on now? Last I checked it isn't all peaches and cream in Fukishima.

Breeders? I think "baby-making machines" is the government-preferred term ;)

She mentions about nuclear power being used in a peaceful way, and that it's not the case... again people trying hard to make the link between nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

USNinJapan2. Like it or not, she's right. Breeders are potentially a big problem. Do your homework on this technology and you will find that it is indeed problematic.

Now I am not saying end nuclear power today. A return to fossil fuel use would do more harm to people over the long run. But I do strongly believe in the idea that Japan should create a new silicon valley based around new energy development. Perhaps as a part of rebuilding Tohoku.

Imagine a tax free, benefits intensive zone that invites the best and brightest from around the world to develop alternative and natural energy solutions. Who knows what would come from that process.

We can and will end nuclear and fossil fuel use. But it will take time and money to get there. But we can and should get there.

So I welcome Yoshinaga-san's voice in helping to educate people that we do have choices.

Save it Sayuri and spare the rest of us. Stick to what you know please, acting and reciting poetry...

We dont even know enough about running normal nuclear power plants yet.

I couldn't have said it better myself.