More from Fukushima

BEST FUKUSHIMA OVERVIEW AND UPDATE

A superb one-hour interview with solid expertise. It's a "just to refresh and focus" gut wrencher but it is really, really clear. I have it bookmarked and will pretty much insist that anyone who wants to dispute the gravity of the situation listen to

---Mike Ruppert

Green Power And Wellness - 08/12/13

THE DEEPENING CRISIS AT FUKUSHIMA is explained by GORDON EDWARDS, President of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility.

Gordon is one of the world's leading expert on atomic power and Fukushima.

He makes it clear that the terrifying outflow of contaminated water pouring through the Fukushima site is a clear and present threat to all living things in the Pacific Ocean and to human life in general.

The crisis is clearly beyond the ability of Tepco, the Japanese government or perhaps the world nuclear as a whole.

Join us at the Green Power & Wellness Show to explore the horrors of this utter breakdown of the nuclear folly.

To hear the broadcast GO HERE

Fujiwara breaks TV taboo, slams secrets bill

Japan Times,

18 September, 2013

Norika Fujiwara has broken an unwritten rule of the television business: sharing her political views. The popular model and actress has come out against a bill that stiffens penalties against civil servants who leak classified information.

Writing on her website, Fujiwara, 42, said passing such a law would adversely affect citizens and encouraged her fans to pressure the government to kill the bill, which the Diet will take up in an extraordinary session scheduled to open Oct. 15.

In a message posted on Friday, Fujiwara accused the government of covering up the truth about the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant, and spreading misinformation about radiation and leaks of radioactive water there.

“As a citizen I am really concerned about it,” Fujiwara wrote in another message. “Our nation has a right to know.”

Fujiwara joins the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association in opposing the bill as a violation of the right to freedom of speech that will undermine Japan’s democracy.

“Once the bill is signed, the people who will write the truth on the Internet (or through other means) will be punished,” she stressed. “When I think of all the consequences that it will lead to, it really bothers me.”

In a message posted soon after the International Olympic Committee picked Tokyo to host the 2020 Games, Fujiwara said she was hopeful the duty would prompt the government to tackle the radiation crisis head-on.

Fujiwara revealed that she had also used the government’s public comment system to voice her opinion to the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.

However, she complained that the public comment system only gives citizens two weeks to provide their opinions on implementing the law.

Fujiwara also provided detailed information on her website on how to contact the government, and encouraged her fans to send in their own opinions by Internet, fax or mail.

Fujiwara, who has been involved in charity activities in Japan and elsewhere as the PR ambassador for the Japanese Red Cross Society, recently made her eight visit to areas damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

In May, the actress received a special award at the Nikkei Social Initiative Awards ceremony, held by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, for her contributions to society.

However, she is not the first TV celebrity to expose herself to criticism by expressing her opinions.

After speaking out against nuclear power in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, actor and activist Taro Yamamoto lost a part in a TV series, and another show he appeared on cut to a commercial in the midst of his political commentary.

Yamamoto was elected to the Upper House in July after vowing to rid Japan of atomic power.

Secrets protection bill placed in Mori’s hands

Jiji

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday to put Masako Mori, minister for measures against the declining birthrate, in charge of a state secrets protection bill.

Abe said the goal is to submit the bill at the extraordinary Diet session to be convened Oct. 15.

The bill would stiffen penalties for public officials who leak confidential information.

TV: Officials concerned about 400 ft. tall pipe near Fukushima reactors collapsing during quake — 8 cracks found in support brace — Gov’t orders immediate investigation — Tepco unsure how to access area as radiation levels around it are 10 sieverts per hour (PHOTO & VIDEO)

ENENews,

18 September, 2013

NHK Newsline, Sept. 19, 2013 (Transcript Excerpts): The people in charge of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have yet another problem on their hands. They say they found cracks in the brace supporting an exhaust pipe. Authorities are concerned the pipe could collapse in another earthquake […] Officials with Tepco say they spotted cracks in 8 places on the steel brace that holds the pipe upright. […] Overseers at the nuclear regulation authority are demanding that company officials investigate immediately. They want to know if the structure can withstand another earthquake.

NHK WORLD English, Sept. 18, 2013: [...] workers on Wednesday discovered the cracks and cuts at 8 places in the buttress about 66 meters above the ground. The Nuclear Regulation Authority has ordered the company to assess the capacity of the pipe to withstand an earthquake as quickly as possible. The 120-meter vertical pipe stands between the number-1 and number-2 reactor buildings. [...] they believe the 2011 earthquake damaged the steel framework. They say they have not observed any obvious damage in the pipe itself. The officials say they are considering how to access the pipe to assess its strength. The area around the pipe is contaminated with high levels of radiation measuring 10 sieverts per hour.

Watch the broadcast here