The situation of anti-nuclear movements and the concept for development of public acceptance in Japan

By 1989, Japan had 36 commercial nuclear reactors in operation. With a 28,700 MW total capacity, nuclear energy represents 17.4 percent in terms of capacity and 26 percent in terms of electricity generated. The Japan Atomic Energy Commission, in 1987, forecast nuclear energy at 53 GW or 25 percent of generating capacity and 40 percent of total electricity by the year 2000. Japan has seen an increase in the activities of the anti-nuclear groups in recent years. The increase has occurred because the sense of crisis due to excessive dependence on imported oil has eroded; there is more emphasis on quality and safety of life; there is unease and suspicion about advanced technologies such as biotechnology, computerization, space development, nuclear energy development, and mega-technologies, and lastly the nuclear energy utilities system for public awareness must be improved. Surveys in Japan indicate that 60 percent of people agree that nuclear energy is an important energy source, but there still remains uncertainty on nuclear power development. Japan's public awareness (PA) strategy is to strive constantly to attain a high level of safety and stability in operation, and to provide easy to comprehend information in a manner the public will be able to visualize the state of stable operation for nuclear reactors. the latter will include providing firsthand information to mass media in the event of failure or trouble. Also easy to understand pamphlets, videotapes, and books will be developed. Lecture programs and opinion advertisements int he nation-wide newspaper will be done. make nuclear energy more visible to people via tours and scale models of nuclear reactors. Finally the mass media must be given accurate information on nuclear energy to correct the misleading and inaccurate information of the anti-nuclear movements