DOCSLIB.ORG

The Fukushima Nuclear Accident and Crisis Management

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident and Crisis Management e Fukushima Nuclearand Crisis Accident Management e Fukushima The Fukushima Nuclear Accident and Crisis Management — Lessons for Japan-U.S. Alliance Cooperation — — Lessons for Japan-U.S. Alliance Cooperation — — Lessons for Japan-U.S. September, 2012 e Sasakawa Peace Foundation Foreword This report is the culmination of a research project titled ”Assessment: Japan-US Response to the Fukushima Crisis,” which the Sasakawa Peace Foundation launched in July 2011. The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that resulted from the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, involved the dispersion and spread of radioactive materials, and thus from both the political and economic perspectives, the accident became not only an issue for Japan itself but also an issue requiring international crisis management. Because nuclear plants can become the target of nuclear terrorism, problems related to such facilities are directly connected to security issues. However, the policymaking of the Japanese government and Japan-US coordination in response to the Fukushima crisis was not implemented smoothly. This research project was premised upon the belief that it is extremely important for the future of the Japan-US relationship to draw lessons from the recent crisis and use that to deepen bilateral cooperation. The objective of this project was thus to review and analyze the lessons that can be drawn from US and Japanese responses to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and on the basis of these assessments, to contribute to enhancing the Japan-US alliance’s nuclear crisis management capabilities, including its ability to respond to nuclear terrorism. At the same time, the project sought to offer proposals that would contribute to enhancing the capacity of the crisis management system in the Asia Pacific region in the future. At the core of the project was a study group comprised of the five security and nuclear power experts listed below. The group met more than 10 times, and through those meetings as well as through trips to the United States and numerous interviews with relevant actors in the United States and Japan, they reviewed, assessed, and analyzed each country’s prior assumptions, preparations, and responses, as well as their policymaking mechanisms. In carrying out this project, the research team received the unsparing cooperation and advice of many practitioners and researchers in both Japan and the United States. This was based on the shared sincere hope that the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which took so many lives, and of the subsequent accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, would not be wasted. We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for their kindness and cooperation. At the same time, we would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to all those who lost loved ones, and to those victims who are continuing to face significant hardships as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation Project Members Nobumasa AKIYAMA, Acting Project Team Chair; Professor, Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University (Introduction, Chapter 6, and Afterword) Heigo SATO, Professor, Institute of World Studies, Takushoku University (Introduction, Chapter3, and Afterword) Kaoru NAITO, President, Nuclear Material Control Center (Chapter 4) Yosuke NAOI, Deputy Director, Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (Chapter 5) Tadahiro KATSUTA, Associate Professor, School of Law, Meiji University (Chapter 1 and 2) Project Team Assistant Note: This project was a self-initiated research project conducted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s JapanHarumi-US Exchange ARAI, PhD Program Candidate,. The contents Takushoku of this University report, however, are the opinion of the study group members and do not reflect the opinions of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, nor do they reflect the opinions of the experts who kindly participated in interviews or meetings during the course of the project. Table of Contents Foreword .............................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1: The Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant ...............................................9 1.1 An overview of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant .............................9 (1) Earthquake and tsunami ..................................................................................................................9 (2) Timeline of the accident ................................................................................................................ 11 (3) The spent fuel pool and other conditions at the plant, and the exposure of workers to radiation ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 1.2 The government response and evacuation of residents: offsite conditions ............................ 18 (1) Government response ................................................................................................................... 18 (2) Evacuation of residents/evacuation zone ..................................................................................... 21 1.3 The inadequacies of the response to the accident................................................................. 24 (1) Were accident prevention measures sufficient? .......................................................................... 24 (2) Were accident mitigation efforts sufficient? ................................................................................ 26 Chapter 2: The Societal Impact of the Nuclear Accident ....................................................... 29 2.1 Response to the contamination problem .............................................................................. 29 (1) Contamination of food and water ................................................................................................. 29 (2) Government policy on human radiation exposure ....................................................................... 30 (3) Decontamination efforts ............................................................................................................... 31 (4) Impact on industry and others ...................................................................................................... 32 2.2 Impact on nuclear energy policy ......................................................................................... 33 (1) Impact on power supply stability .................................................................................................. 33 (2) Distrust of past nuclear energy administration and changes in nuclear energy policy ................ 34 (3) Impact on nuclear energy policy abroad ....................................................................................... 36 2.3 Societal impact and issues in the wake of the disaster ........................................................ 38 (1) Social impact of the radioactivity .................................................................................................. 38 (2) Social impact caused by the lack of clear information .................................................................. 40 (3) Compensation issue ...................................................................................................................... 42 Chapter 3: Japan-US Cooperation and Crisis Management after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident ................................................................. 46 3.1 The Fukushima nuclear accident and Japan-US cooperation ................................................ 46 3.2 A chronology of Japan-US cooperation and crisis management ........................................... 49 3.3 Military-to-military cooperation ......................................................................................... 52 3.4 Differences in American and Japanese approaches to crisis management and the role of the Bilateral Joint Operations Coordination Center ....................................................................... 53 3.5 Overall evaluation of Japan-US cooperation ....................................................................... 56 (1) Information ................................................................................................................................... 57 (2) Channels of Dialogue ..................................................................................................................... 58 (3) Issues on the US side ..................................................................................................................... 59 (4) The transition from normalcy to emergency conditions ............................................................... 60 3.6 Japan-US defense cooperation and nuclear safety .............................................................. 61 Chapter 4: Vulnerabilities in Nuclear Security ...................................................................... 63 4.1 The international background of expanding and strengthening nuclear security policy ........ 63 4.2 International and domestic responses to strengthening
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Iaea International Fact Finding Expert Mission of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Npp Accident Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
    IAEA Original English MISSION REPORT THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE EXPERT MISSION IAEA INTERNATIONAL FACT FINDING EXPERT MISSION OF THE FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI NPP ACCIDENT FOLLOWING THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI Tokyo, Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP, Fukushima Dai-ni NPP and Tokai Dai-ni NPP, Japan 24 May – 2 June 2011 IAEA MISSION REPORT DIVISION OF NUCLEAR INSTALLATION SAFETY DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND SECURITY IAEA Original English IAEA REPORT THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE EXPERT MISSION IAEA INTERNATIONAL FACT FINDING EXPERT MISSION OF THE FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI NPP ACCIDENT FOLLOWING THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI REPORT TO THE IAEA MEMBER STATES Tokyo, Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP, Fukushima Dai-ni NPP and Tokai Dai-ni NPP, Japan 24 May – 2 June 2011 i IAEA ii IAEA REPORT THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE EXPERT MISSION IAEA INTERNATIONAL FACT FINDING EXPERT MISSION OF THE FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI NPP ACCIDENT FOLLOWING THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI Mission date: 24 May – 2 June 2011 Location: Tokyo, Fukushima Dai-ichi, Fukushima Dai-ni and Tokai Dai-ni, Japan Facility: Fukushima and Tokai nuclear power plants Organized by: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) IAEA Review Team: WEIGHTMAN, Michael HSE, UK, Team Leader JAMET, Philippe ASN, France, Deputy Team Leader LYONS, James E. IAEA, NSNI, Director SAMADDAR, Sujit IAEA, NSNI, Head, ISCC CHAI, Guohan People‘s Republic of China CHANDE, S. K. AERB, India GODOY, Antonio Argentina GORYACHEV, A. NIIAR, Russian Federation GUERPINAR, Aybars Turkey LENTIJO, Juan Carlos CSN, Spain LUX, Ivan HAEA, Hungary SUMARGO, Dedik E. BAPETEN, Indonesia iii IAEA SUNG, Key Yong KINS, Republic of Korea UHLE, Jennifer USNRC, USA BRADLEY, Edward E.
    [Show full text]
  • Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
    Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress Emma Chanlett-Avery, Coordinator Specialist in Asian Affairs William H. Cooper Specialist in International Trade and Finance Mark E. Manyin Specialist in Asian Affairs January 13, 2011 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL33436 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress Summary The post-World War II U.S.-Japan alliance has long been an anchor of the U.S. security role in East Asia. The alliance facilitates the forward deployment of about 36,000 U.S. troops and other U.S. military assets in the Asia-Pacific, thereby undergirding U.S. national security strategy in the region. For Japan, the alliance and the U.S. nuclear umbrella provide maneuvering room in dealing with its neighbors, particularly China and North Korea. U.S.-Japan relations have been adjusting to the Democratic Party of Japan’s (DPJ) landslide victory in the August 30, 2009, elections for the Lower House of Japan’s legislature. The DPJ’s victory appears to mark the end of an era in Japan; it was the first time Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was voted out of office. The LDP had ruled Japan virtually uninterrupted since 1955. Since the resignation of the DPJ’s first prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, in June 2010, bilateral relations have been smoother under the leadership of Naoto Kan. Although in the past some members of the DPJ have questioned and/or voted against several features of the alliance, the party appears to have shifted its strategic thinking after a series of provocations from North Korea and indications of growing assertiveness from the Chinese military in disputed waters in 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Greetingsfrom Koriyama City
    ‘Nunobiki Plateau Wind Farm’: boasting 33 wind turbines with the height of roughly 100 meters, one of the largest scale wind farms in Japan Greetings from Koriyama City -Toward a future-oriented and mutually-beneficial relationship between the cities of Essen and Koriyama- Business Creation Division City of Koriyama, JAPAN City of Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture JAPAN 1 Geographical Features of Koriyama City -Two Cities of Essen and Koriyama- 2nd most populous in Fukushima Prefecture and 3rd most populous in Tohoku Region ‘Economic Capital City in Fukushima Prefecture’, boasting its Essen City biggest retail sales and largest number of retail businesses in the prefecture Largest number of agricultural households in Fukushima State of North Rhine- Prefecture, boasting biggest rice production in the prefecture Westphalia 51 Degrees 37 Degrees Koriyama City Fukushima Prefecture Koriyama City Central urban area of Koriyama City (the west exit of Koriyama Station) City of Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture JAPAN 2 History of the Development of Koriyama City -Transition from a city of power generation to city of renewable energy and medical devices- ５．Great East Japan ６．Restoration Earthquake and Nuclear Accident from the disasters, at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear promoting renewable Power Station in 2011 energy and medical device development Oyasuba Burial Mound, built in the Fukushima Renewable Energy early Kofun Period (250 AD-538 AD) Institute, AIST (FREA) opened in April 2014 Building with its first floor collapsed due to the fierce earthquake ４．People gathered, schools and banks established, Fukushima Medical Device Development Numagami Hydroelectric Power Station, laid Support Center (FMDDSC) the foundation of Koriyama’s development railroaded to become the center of Fukushima Prefecture opened in November 2016 ３．New industry revolution, cotton and chemical industries flourished by hydro electric power generation, Hodogaya Chemical Co., LTD.
    [Show full text]
  • The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2009 with Particular Emphasis on Economic Issues
    The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2009 With Particular Emphasis on Economic Issues By Mycle Schneider Independent Consultant, Mycle Schneider Consulting, Paris (France) Project Coordinator Steve Thomas Professor for Energy Policy, Greenwich University (UK) Antony Froggatt Independent Consultant, London (UK) Doug Koplow Director of Earth Track, Cambridge (USA) Modeling and Additional Graphic Design Julie Hazemann Director of EnerWebWatch, Paris (France) Paris, August 2009 Commissioned by German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Reactor Safety (Contract n° UM0901290) About the Authors Mycle Schneider is an independent international consultant on energy and nuclear policy based in Paris. He founded the Energy Information Agency WISE-Paris in 1983 and directed it until 2003. Since 1997 he has provided information and consulting services to the Belgian Energy Minister, the French and German Environment Ministries, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Greenpeace, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the European Commission, the European Parliament's Scientific and Technological Option Assessment Panel and its General Directorate for Research, the Oxford Research Group, and the French Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety. Since 2004 he has been in charge of the Environment and Energy Strategies lecture series for the International MSc in Project Management for Environmental and Energy Engineering Program at the French Ecole des Mines in Nantes. In 1997, along with Japan's Jinzaburo Takagi, he received the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the ―Alternative Nobel Prize‖. Antony Froggatt works as independent European energy consultant based in London. Since 1997 Antony has worked as a freelance researcher and writer on energy and nuclear policy issues in the EU and neighboring states.
    [Show full text]
  • Convention on Nuclear Safety National Report of Japan for the Third Review Meeting
    Provisional Translation Convention on Nuclear Safety National Report of Japan for the Third Review Meeting August 2004 Government of Japan TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface A. General Provisions Article 6 Existing Nuclear Installations…………………………………………………….. 6-1 6.1 Existing Nuclear Installations in the Scope of this Convention………………………… 6-1 6.2 Major Events in the Existing Nuclear Installations after the Previous Report………….. 6-2 6.3 Evaluation and Verification of Safety, and Position as to Continued Operation………... 6-3 B. Legislation and Regulation Article 7 Legislative and Regulatory Framework…………………………………………. 7-1 7.1 Basic Legislation Governing the Utilization of Nuclear Energy………………………... 7-1 7.2 Legislations and Regulations Governing the Safety of Nuclear Installations…………... 7-2 7.3 Legislative Regulatory Framework at Each Stage………………………………………. 7-5 7.4 Enforcement of Applicable Regulations and Terms of License…………………………. 7-7 Article 8 Regulatory Body…………………………………………………………………… 8-1 8.1 Mandate and Duties of Regulatory Body………………………………………………... 8-1 8.2 Organizations for Enforcement of Safety Regulation of Nuclear Installations…………. 8-2 8.3 Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA)………………………………………….. 8-2 8.4 Organization related to NISA…………………………………………………………… 8-5 8.5 The Nuclear Safety Commission (the NSC)…………………………………………….. 8-6 8.6 The Atomic Energy Commission (the AEC)…………………………………………….. 8-7 8.7 Other Administrative Bodies…………………………………………………………….. 8-8 Article 9 Responsibility of the License Holder……………………………………………… 9-1 9.1 Regulatory measures for the license holder to take the prime responsibility for the 9-1 safety of nuclear installations……………………………………………………………. 9.2 Supervision of the License Holders by Regulatory Body……………………………….. 9-1 C. General Safety Considerations Article 10 Basic Policy for Priority to Safety……………………………………………….
    [Show full text]
  • Growing Democracy in Japan: the Parliamentary Cabinet System Since 1868
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Kentucky University of Kentucky UKnowledge Asian Studies Race, Ethnicity, and Post-Colonial Studies 5-15-2014 Growing Democracy in Japan: The Parliamentary Cabinet System since 1868 Brian Woodall Georgia Institute of Technology Click here to let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Thanks to the University of Kentucky Libraries and the University Press of Kentucky, this book is freely available to current faculty, students, and staff at the University of Kentucky. Find other University of Kentucky Books at uknowledge.uky.edu/upk. For more information, please contact UKnowledge at [email protected]. Recommended Citation Woodall, Brian, "Growing Democracy in Japan: The Parliamentary Cabinet System since 1868" (2014). Asian Studies. 4. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_asian_studies/4 Growing Democracy in Japan Growing Democracy in Japan The Parliamentary Cabinet System since 1868 Brian Woodall Due to variations in the technical specifications of different electronic reading devices, some elements of this ebook may not appear as they do in the print edition. Readers are encouraged to experiment with user settings for optimum results. Copyright © 2014 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Woodall, Brian.
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher's Guide
    AFTER THE DARKNESS TEACHER’S GUIDE Developed by Waka Takahashi Brown Copyright © 2014 By the Leland Stanford Junior University Board of Trustees For further information contact: Stanford Program on International and Cross-cultural Education (SPICE) Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) Encina Hall, Stanford University Stanford CA, 94305-6055 Tel: (800) 578-1114 Fax: (650) 723-6784 http://spice.stanford.edu E-mail: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...............................................................................................................IV ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS.............................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................1 Objectives...............................................................................................................................1 Connections to Curriculum Standards..............................................................................2 Subjects and Suggested Grade Levels................................................................................4 Materials.................................................................................................................................5 Equipment..............................................................................................................................5 Teacher Preparation...............................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • The Year in Elections, 2013: the World's Flawed and Failed Contests
    The Year in Elections, 2013: The World's Flawed and Failed Contests The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Norris, Pippa, Richard W. Frank, and Ferran Martinez i Coma. 2014. The Year in Elections 2013: The World's Flawed and Failed Contests. The Electoral Integrity Project. Published Version http://www.electoralintegrityproject.com/ Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11744445 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA THE YEAR IN ELECTIONS, 2013 THE WORLD’S FLAWED AND FAILED CONTESTS Pippa Norris, Richard W. Frank, and Ferran Martínez i Coma February 2014 THE YEAR IN ELECTIONS, 2013 WWW. ELECTORALINTEGRITYPROJECT.COM The Electoral Integrity Project Department of Government and International Relations Merewether Building, HO4 University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Phone: +61(2) 9351 6041 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.electoralintegrityproject.com Copyright © Pippa Norris, Ferran Martínez i Coma, and Richard W. Frank 2014. All rights reserved. Photo credits Cover photo: ‘Ballot for national election.’ by Daniel Littlewood, http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellittlewood/413339945. Licence at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. Page 6 and 18: ‘Ballot sections are separated for counting.’ by Brittany Danisch, http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdanisch/6084970163/ Licence at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. Page 8: ‘Women in Pakistan wait to vote’ by DFID - UK Department for International Development, http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/8735821208/ Licence at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper Sludge Carbon As an Adsorbent for Fukushima Radiocontaminated Paddy Soil
    applied sciences Article Paper Sludge Carbon as an Adsorbent for Fukushima Radiocontaminated Paddy Soil Ai Van Tran 1,* and Makoto Yanaga 2 1 Corelex SanEi Co. Ltd., Agoyama 775-1, Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City 418-0037, Japan 2 Center for Radioscience Education and Research, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City 422-8529, Japan; [email protected]; Tel.: +81-54-238-4804 * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +81-544-23-0303 Received: 28 August 2020; Accepted: 15 September 2020; Published: 17 September 2020 Abstract: Radiocontaminated soil in a paddy field in the Iitate village in Fukushima was treated with an industrial paper sludge carbon (PSC) prior to growing rice in May 2011. The results showed that the sum of the activity concentrations of 134Cs and 137Cs in the polished rice harvested in October 2011 was 30 Bq kg 1, a level much lower than the Japanese governmental safeguard value of 100 Bq kg 1. · − · − Upon contacting with the contaminated soil, the contents of calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium, and barium in the PSC were decreased. Among the PSCs impregnated with various chlorides and sulfates of the previously mentioned minerals, potassium chloride, copper sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium sulfate yielded higher decontamination degrees compared to the original PSC. The results imply that radioactive cesium in the soil exchanges cations with these minerals. Keywords: paper sludge carbon; decontamination; rice; ion exchange; 134Cs; 137Cs 1. Introduction As the radiocontaminated soil from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986 is concerned, Guillitte and co-workers [1] proposed countermeasures such as the removal of contaminated surface soil, spraying contaminated canopies with detergents or cleaning agents, defoliation and removal of fallen leaves, as well as plowing after clear felling and prior to planting.
    [Show full text]
  • Electricity Review Japan
    The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan Keidanren-kaikan, 1-3-2, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8118, Japan E L E C TRIC I T Y http://www.fepc.or.jp/english/index.html R E VIE W J A PA N The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan 2019 The Ten Electric Power Companies by Main Service Area National Trunk Line History of Japan’s Electric Utility Industry (North latitude) Connections 45゜ (As of September 30, 2019) Transmission Line（500kV） Electricity was rst used in Japan on March 25, 1878 at demand for electricity remained very tight in Japan. A HOKKAIDO Electric Power Co. Transmission Line（154kV～275kV） the Institute of Technology in Toranomon, Tokyo when series of intense discussions were held on restructuring DC Transmission Line an arc lamp was switched on in commemoration of the the electric utility industry as one of the measures for HOKURIKU Electric Power Co. Switching Station or Substation opening of the Central Telegraph Oce. In those days, democratizing the economy. As a result, nine regional 40゜ Frequency Converter Facility（F.C.） TOHOKU Electric Power Co. AC-DC Converter Facility electricity was still unfamiliar and uncommon not only in privately owned and managed General Electricity CHUBU Electric Power Co. The CHUGOKU Japan but also in Europe and the United States. In 1886, Utilities— Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo, Chubu, Hokuriku, Electric Power Co. TOKYO Electric Power Company Holdings Tokyo Electric Lighting, a private company, commenced Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu Electric Power The OKINAWA Electric Power Co. operations as the nation’s rst electric power company, Companies — were established in 1951 and assumed the 35゜ and began supplying electricity to the public in the responsibility of supplying electricity to each region.
    [Show full text]
  • Japan's Gas and Electricity Market Reform: the Third Revolution
    JAPAN'S GAS AND ELECTRICITY MARKET REFORM: THE THIRD REVOLUTION Hiroshi Hashimoto Institute of Energy Economics, Japan - IEEJ Disclaimer: This paper is prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to influence any specific actions. Views expressed this paper are the author's ones but do not represent the organisation's ones. Japan's city gas and electric power industries are undergoing unprecedented but somewhat anticipated structural changes brought about by the recent regulatory restructuring. The process in fact dates back as far as 1995, when gas sales to the largest industrial customers were opened for competition. The ensuing regulatory measures have been considered and implemented extremely carefully so as not to jeopardise security of supply at affordable prices to end consumers in a country who does not have a lot of energy production within its territory. During the period the country's LNG market has successfully grown to be the largest and the most diversified in the world in terms of volumes, as well as numbers of both supply sources, importers and their receiving facilities, incorporating great flexibility in procurement with around 30% of the total volumes coming from short-term contracts and spot cargo purchases supplementing the main-stream long-term purchase contracts. In the latest stage of the industry restructuring, as the retail markets are opened for competition, city gas and electric power companies are entering into each other's home grounds by taking advantage of their own muscles and expertise, leading to the most unique, realistic and useful competition in the energy consuming market in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • ACADEMIC ENCOUNTER the American University in Japan and Korea R
    ACADEMIC ENCOUNTER The American University in Japan and Korea r ACADEMIC ENCOUNTER The American University in Japan and Korea By Martin Bronfenbrennet THE FREE PRESS OF GLENCOE, INC. A division of the Crowell-Collier Publishing Co. New York t BUREAU OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL RESEARCH Michigan State University f East Lansing, Michigan I Copyright@ 1961 BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY East Lansing, Michigan Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 61-63703 i t , PREFACE • This study of some 18 American university affiliations with Japanese and Korean institutions is a small part of a larger study of the American university overseas. The larger study l is undertaken by the Institute for Research on Overseas Pro­ grams at Michigan State University. What is said here about programs in Japan and Korea can be compared with what other staff members of the Institute have saidabout programs in other countries, particularly other Asian countries such as India and !t Indonesia. , Many believe with ex-President Eisenhower that the American university should expand its foreign affiliations as a contribution t to economic and cultural reconstruction and development over­ seas, and to better international understanding between America and other countries. In this view, university affiliations are an j important type of "people to people" contacts across national boundaries. Others believe that the American university should f concentrate its limited manpower and resources on the domestic job it does best, and reduce the scale of its commitments abroad. Part of the decision (or compromise) between these viewpoints should be based on a knowledge of what the existing international programs are in fact attempting or accomplishing.
    [Show full text]