Meltdown Over Fukushima

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The Fukushima nuclear power plant is currently still being dismantled almost nine years after its meltdown caused by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami hitting the islands of Japan. As a result, the area surrounding Fukushima is contaminated with various levels of radiation which proves to be a point of concern regarding the anticipated 2020 Summer Olympics. Locations such as J-Village, which is the starting point for the torch relay, is located 18 km (about 11 miles) south of the Fukushima plant which Greenpeace noted as a “radiation hotspot” in December. In addition to the already indicated radiation hotspots, the company that owns the plant has already had issues regarding water contamination issues and how to dispose of the excess of contaminated water. The article notes how athletes, specifically from South Korea, already plan to pack their own food and radiation detectors for their stay in Japan. While this may highlight the obvious cultural tension between the two nations, it does highlight an interesting issue of the validity of the statements, agriculture, and safety of settlement within the surrounding areas of Fukushima. A spokesperson for the Tokyo 
Electric Power Company (TEPCO) stated, "The Olympics are coming, so we have to prepare for that, and TEPCO has to disclose all the information not only to local communities but also to foreign countries and especially to those people coming from abroad”. While the domestic power company is feeling the pressure from international entities, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claims the decontamination and dismantlement of Fukushima is “under control”. With athletes, civilians, and workers at risk to radiation it will be interesting to see how willing is Japan to identify any discrepancies or imperfections in the presentation of their country as a host nation for the upcoming Olympics.

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