Minister Ono’s participation to the ERIA special lecture on “Fukushima and its Aftermath”
2019/5/23
On May 16, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) held a special lecture titled “Fukushima and its Aftermath” with the attendance of Mr. Naomi Hirose, Executive Vice Chairman of Tokyo Electric power Company (TEPCO). From the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, Ms. Hikariko Ono, Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission attended.
1. In the opening remarks, Minister Ono expressed her gratitude to the many countries, and international organizations including ASEAN and 16 ERIA member countries for various forms of assistance to support reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. She explained the current state of reconstruction as below and expressed her hope that people have a chance to know the situation of reconstructing areas affected by the disaster, taking advantage of opportunities such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
2. In the special lecture, Executive Vice Chairman Hirose used various examples to explain the matters including the current state of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in comparison with the state just after the accident, and the challenges TEPCO is now facing and their future prospects as well as lessons learned by their accident responses.
3. After the special lecture, panel discussions were conducted with researchers in ERIA and other research institutes. The panelists had multiple discussions on issues including challenges for nuclear power, and also answered a lot of questions from the floor.
Related links:
1. In the opening remarks, Minister Ono expressed her gratitude to the many countries, and international organizations including ASEAN and 16 ERIA member countries for various forms of assistance to support reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. She explained the current state of reconstruction as below and expressed her hope that people have a chance to know the situation of reconstructing areas affected by the disaster, taking advantage of opportunities such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Restoring of infrastructure for daily lives and reconstruction of houses in the areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami have mostly been completed. The reconstruction is moving steadily ahead.
- Among the regions that suffered from the nuclear accident in Fukushima prefecture, the areas that are still under the evacuation orders are very limited. The reconstruction and revitalization efforts have begun at full scale in areas where the evacuation orders were lifted.
- In terms of air radiation dose rate, the rates in major cities in Fukushima Prefecture are almost at the same levels as those in major cities around the world. In most parts of the Prefecture, people lead a normal life now.
- It has become possible to inspect the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant with usual business clothes, which shows the reduction of air radiation dose rate in the area and the steady progress towards the decommissioning of the Plant.
- Japan carries out its inspection for radioactive substances in foods with the world’s strictest level of standard; and food safety is guaranteed.
2. In the special lecture, Executive Vice Chairman Hirose used various examples to explain the matters including the current state of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in comparison with the state just after the accident, and the challenges TEPCO is now facing and their future prospects as well as lessons learned by their accident responses.
3. After the special lecture, panel discussions were conducted with researchers in ERIA and other research institutes. The panelists had multiple discussions on issues including challenges for nuclear power, and also answered a lot of questions from the floor.
Related links:
- The state of recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan EarthquakeHP of Reconstruction Agency
- ERIA Hosts Special Lecture on the Fukushima Accident and Its Aftermath (ERIA HP)