Greenpeace Japan Press Release
November 12, 2004

Government Energy Commission Ignores Nuclear Dangers

© Greenpeace

The government commission to revise Japan's Long-term program for Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy (long-term nuclear energy policy) is expected to conclude in favor of reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel today. Greenpeace Japan warns that reprocessing causes deadly radiation releases into the environment that are a threat to public health, and urges the committee to hold a more comprehensive review and public hearings.

Activists from Greenpeace stood outside the meeting with a banner showing a map of expected radiation dispersal. Others inside the meeting brought a question to the committee members saying "Are you going to export radiation contamination from Rokkasho to Japan, and to the world.?"

"There was almost no discussion on the environmental impacts and human health impacts from the reprocessing in the commission." Said Nogawa ATSUKO, nuclear campaigner for Greenpeace Japan. " Seeing names of members is to know the conclusion of continuing reprocessing. It is no surprise this commission supports reprocessing, as most come from organizations that will profit from the decision. Without a comprehensive review on the environment, safety and nuclear proliferation, conclusion should not be made." she continued.

© Greenpeace

The dangers of radiation from reprocessing plant discharges are well known through-out the world. At the annual meeting of the OSPAR Commission, in Copenhagen in 2000 government representatives from 15 countries throughout Europe agreed to call for an end to nuclear reprocessing and the implementation of dry storage. The Leukemia rate among children living around the reprocessing plants is higher than average There are on going studies looking at the relationship between reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and leukemia.

Following this decision a number of safety agreements have to be signed with local governments. A shipment of depleted uranium is expected to be sent to the plant to begin tests in the plant in early 2005. JNFL hopes to begin burning spent nuclear fuel with a year of the depleted uranium tests.

Greenpeace Japan continues to campaign against the reprocessing and to stop conclusion of the safety agreement.

For further information, please contact:
Greenpeace Japan, Telephone +813 5338 9800
Atsuko Nogawa , Greenpeace Japan Nuclear Campaigner, mobile phone 090-3654-4035
Kazue Suzuki, Greenpeace Japan Campaign Director, mobile phone 090-2249-1502