76% of Japanese Citizens Support Nuclear Phase-Out Increase

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] It has been revealed that the number of Japanese citizens who view nuclear power negatively as a means of generating electricity continues to increase in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant explosion accident that occurred during the Great East Japan Earthquake 10 years ago.

The magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011, triggered a tsunami that inundated Units 1 to 4 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The resulting shutdown of the cooling systems led to core meltdowns and hydrogen explosions, causing a massive release of radioactive materials. Classified as the highest level (7) on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), the same as the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in the former Soviet Union, the cleanup operation is ongoing as a long-term project aimed at decommissioning the plant.

According to a postal survey conducted by Kyodo News and the Japan Public Opinion Research Council, composed of Kyodo News affiliates, targeting 1,970 voters aged 18 and over nationwide excluding some areas of Fukushima ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, 68% responded that nuclear power should be "gradually reduced to zero (complete phase-out)" when asked about the future of nuclear power in Japan. Additionally, 8% of respondents said nuclear power should be immediately phased out, indicating that 76% of all respondents favor a nuclear phase-out policy.

Considering that the proportion of respondents hoping for a nuclear phase-out in similar past surveys was 69% in 2014, 62% in 2016, and 75% in 2018, it can be seen that the number of Japanese citizens advocating for a complete nuclear phase-out has increased. Among those who want a nuclear phase-out, 60% cited concerns about the recurrence of accidents like the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident as the reason. On the other hand, 19% responded that "a certain level of nuclear power should be maintained," and 3% said "it should return to the level before the Fukushima nuclear accident." Among these, 58% cited the risk of electricity supply shortages if nuclear power is eliminated. Of these, 19% expressed the view that maintaining nuclear power is necessary as a measure against global warming.

Regarding the ongoing issue of contaminated water containing radioactive materials such as tritium being discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, 53% of respondents said they were "aware," exceeding half. However, 43% responded that they "did not know," indicating that a significant number of Japanese citizens do not pay much attention to this issue.

Regarding the disposal method of contaminated water, the most common response at 39% was that it should not be released until sufficient measures against "reputational damage" (damage to the image of surrounding residents and others due to the decision to discharge contaminated water) are prepared. Only 13% responded that it should be promptly discharged into the ocean or atmosphere. Ten percent said that storage tanks should be expanded and aboveground storage should continue, while 32% responded that they "did not know well."