Published: October 4th, 2011 at 8:10 pm ET
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Genkai Nuclear Power Plant SOURCE: KEI at Wikipedia
SOURCE: Genkai Nuclear Plant Shuts Down in Japan, New York Times by HIROKO TABUCHI, October 4, 2011
In a fresh blow to public confidence, a reactor in southern Japan went into automatic shutdown on Tuesday because of problems with its cooling system, clouding the outlook for an imminent restart of the country’s idled nuclear plants. [...]
In fact, the governor of the southern prefecture of Saga had tentatively agreed to allow the restart of two idle reactors at Genkai in July. But he rescinded his permission when it was found that Kyushu Electric had tried to manipulate public opinion with fake e-mails to support a reopening of the reactors. [...]
SOURCE: Nuclear reactor shut down in Japan, cause unknown, AFP, October 4, 2011
A nuclear power reactor was shut down automatically in western Japan on Tuesday, but the cause of the suspension was not immediately known, its operator said. [...]
“We have not monitored any abnormality such as any change in radiation gauges,” Yuki Hirano, a company spokesman, said, adding that there were no reports of fire or smoke.
The operator said that an alarm indicating a problem with a steam condenser went off and automatically stopped the turbine and the reactor. However, the precise cause of the shutdown was still under investigation. [...]
Chihiro Kamisawa, researcher at the Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center
- “As we saw in Fukushima, cooling systems are central to the safety of nuclear reactors”
- “We cannot take lightly the fact that there was also trouble with the cooling system at Genkai”
- “It underscores the fact that safety problems riddle Japan’s reactors”
h/t Anonymous tips
Published: October 4th, 2011 at 8:10 pm ET
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When It rains, it pours!!!!!
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I live in Kyushu, uncomfortably close to that plant, and I can tell you that Kyushu Electric Power Company are dishonest, liers, just like TEPCO. Recently the president resigned becasue a scandal to manipulate public opinion by employees pretending to be pro-nuclear citizens came to light.
Next to the Genkai Nuke plant is a place called “Energy Park” where there is a kind of museum singing the praises and safety of nuclear energy. It’s the sickest propeganda I’ve ever seen and the fact that they would build it is a demonstration of their desire to manipulate opinion.
I’m keeping my Geiger counter with me all of the time now. If there is a release from Genkai, you can be sure they won’t announce it until it’s too late.
Ugg!
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Thank you so much for posting here. We need to hear from those still in Japan. Hope to see you here again. Sweet Mandelbrots, man!
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Yes, thanks from here as well. Please keep us updated and keep posting! Are people worried where you live or does the brainwashing work?
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William, I would like to personally thank you for your well thought out and balanced youtube videos. You get the point across in a well spoken and effective manner.
Have you given any thought to leaving Japan all together?
I left Tokyo back in March taking my family down to Kyushu for the first few weeks after which I made a quick return to Tokyo to have my apartment packed up, shipped and settle up loose ends. It was with a great difficulty that I left Japan as I love it so and have many relatives and friends there but I knew it was the only choice I could make at the time.
My rationale was that I could leave Japan for now and come back if it was ever safe (in terms of radioactive fallout). But if I were to stay (with my family in tow) and then find out 5-10 years from now that it was the wrong choice I could never forgive myself. I chose the lesser of two evils or the most prudent option. My simple risk analysis made it obvious that there was no other option for me. I realize though that this is not the case for everyone as it is no simple matter. I was fortunate to have another country I could go to and had savings to get me there (I guess not living extravagantly was the right way to live).
I had considered staying in Kyushu but I figured one relocation was all I could bare and the further from the contamination source the better (but you can never get far enough away in this enclosed atmosphere).
Something I found almost as distressing as the Fukushima disaster itself and leaving Japan was arriving to another country to find other people either blissfully unaware of what is transpiring or thinking it was nothing to be concerned about whatsoever. These are strange times we are living in and a big part of that can be blamed on the media companies who are doing their part to misinform.
Whatever your choice William (stay in Japan or leave), I wish you all the best and a long happy life. Please continue your efforts on YouTube and your blog. Thank you again.
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Well said, kintaman, and likewise thanks to William for your videos.
A recent conversation of mine with relatives went (briefly) like this:
Talk about Fukusihima – opened conversation
Described events – followed in detail, reception working in brains of informees
Conclusion stated as to where events leading – silence in informees, pause to adjust brains, subject changed.
I don’t know if this is clear but to me what it says is that there is an inherent understanding of the events and where things are going, but the psychology of the uninformed is to “cold shutdown” thought processes because they cause too much unbearable fear, or something like that.
Taking a bit further, this to me is a glaring example of where courageous leadership might have made a difference. Energizing the populations into acceptance and then appropriate responses.
Of course, “courageous leadership” might be something that is in short supply in our new global so-called economy.
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Thank you everyone for the comments and support.
@Kintaman – I’m not comfortable living in Japan now but I’m not in a good position to leave at the moment. Since I haven’t been able to detect any fallout in my area with my own Geiger counters, I’m being as careful as possible with food and planning to stick it out until next Summer when I’ll be in a much better position to move back to the U.S. If another disaster happens however I’m out on the next flight.
@Misitsu – I’ve been having the same experience with people’s brains seemingly going into cold shutdown when the topic comes up. It’s terrifying to see that this is the mindset (or human psychology?) that so many people have. It gives me great fear for the future.
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I had an experience which may shed some light on this phenomena. Someone quite close who didn’t seem to be ‘taking it in’ over a considerable timespan, suddenly lost their temper and gave me both barrels – along the lines of ‘we’re all doomed anyway so shut up about it’.
Seems like some people do register the facts but prefer not to think about it.
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This is what I got. I’ve even gotten “Yes,…I know,….next year is the end of the world,…can’t I have any peace until then?
And my new favorite, “You are an aware, caring person. But there’s so much
negativity around you, it would drive me crazy. I’ve been in the
environmental business for 30 years. I’ve seen SHIT that is terrible and
will come back to haunt humanity. There’s not a dammed thing I can do
about it. I tried one time and had the shit scared out of me. Those guys
were deadly serious, and doomed, unfortunately for them.
I intend to live the rest of my life enjoying as much as possible, not in
ignorance, but at least in peace somewhat. If you’re interested in that, I
am interested in you.
I told you it would be hard for me. I hate being this negative.
I hope you understand where I’m coming from.”
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wmilberry,
Winter winds are coming, after you breath this air (maybe for hours) then and you register the fallout, You have been exposed !!!!
OK use the “I will put on my seatbelt when it appears I have been in an accident” mentality !
Just sayin !’ Don’t shoot the messenger !
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Aloha to all from Honolulu,
I donʻt post often but I must say that I have come to rely on you here at ene (as well as fairewinds and ex-skf) for info and support. In the absence of interest and support here in Hawai`i, you all (minus the shills and trolls) have been crucial in further developing my knowledge base and understanding of the situation, in Japan and worldwide I have to restrain my emotion as I write but I am forever grateful for this community which has helped me retain some sanity in this increasingly crazy and dangerous world. Iʻve been fortunate as of late to be referred to a gracious individual on Kaua`i who is willing to help me to start monitoring here on O`ahu (EPA only monitors gross gamma here and even that is suspect), but other than my immediate family, most people I try to share with blatantly ignore me.
Recently, Iʻve been trying to repost relevant articles and data I find here and other sites on facebook, but Iʻm almost completely ignored. Many of my “friends” are antiwar/peace, environmental and Hawaiian Sovereignty activists, but still I am a lonely voice speaking in the radioactive wind. I cannot thank this community enough for what youʻre doing for folks like me who have felt powerless in the face of this ongoing tragedy. Please forgive my lengthy post but I just had to express my deepest appreciation for your invaluable service to this planet.
Me ka `oia`i`o (with truth),
Hanaloa
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Way COOL hanaloa! Comments like yours make me at least,….able to fight another day! Oops,…did I say “fight”? So un-PC of me!
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hanaola , hope to see you on the radiation discussion forum linked on the right of the page… your not alone with your views here!
peace
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I too find it strange the level of apathy that exists in our world. In trying to keep myself informed about this ongoing disaster I have been isolated. No one wants to know what is going on and I have to admit at times I too would like to forget. I at times feel powerless in the face of the enormity of what is truly happening. It has led me to engage in an unprecedented level of politics. Having rarely committed my self politically I find myself signing petition after petition. We don’t yet know the true costs of this disaster but perhaps we could prevent one from happening in the future. The world is not ending it may be changing but I am hopeful every time I read the posts here that people like all of us can make a difference. Don’t let despair lead to inaction. Our voices should not be drowned out especially if we let them be heard. I intend to protest and sign every petition until there is change. Silence is the grandmaster of powerlessness and I will not succumb to it. Have a wonderful day! We are alive and life is precious lets fight for our continued breath and make this world safe for another generation.
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Isolation is part of truth telling… you folks will get used to it….
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Yeah,….like a painful callus in gym class!
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