Report from Tokyo: Getting Transparent

An adviser to Prime Minister Kan on the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant resigned in protest over what he called the government's impromptu handling of the crisis.
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A rather extraordinary thing happened the other day here in Tokyo. An adviser to Prime Minister Kan on the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, recently appointed because of his expertise in radiation safety, resigned in protest over what he called the government's impromptu handling of the crisis.

University of Tokyo professor Toshiso Kosako said: "The government has belittled laws and taking measures only for the present moment, resulting in delays in bringing the situation under control.'' He was particularly concerned about the decision to increase the "acceptable level" of radiation to children attending school near the stricken plant. On April 22nd, Japanese government raised the official limit of radiation exposure for children in Fukushima Prefecture to 20 milliSievert per year -- the same level as nuclear power plant workers, and twenty times the internationally recognized annual allowable dose for adults.

Professor Kosako's departure has caused a political tsunami not only because he left a prestigious appointment, but mainly because he has told the truth -- something many of us here in Japan have been seeking since the terrible events of March 11th. He is a brave man who will likely experience ostracism by the power structure and possibly damage to his long career at Japan's top university. But he has told the truth. This is what people want, myself included. Key concerns include:

  • Short and long-term projections for soil contamination extending beyond the current 20 kilometers from the Daiichi Nuclear facility.
  • The ability of the government to confirm that banned food products from the stricken area will not be sold to the public.
  • The likelihood that the initial300 billion reconstruction estimate will be raised.

The handling of the Fukushima crisis has not inspired trust among the public. Indeed, an April 30th poll showed that 76% of the Japanese public feels the government has lacked appropriate leadership.

In Prime Minister Kan's defense, there has been more transparency on key issues in recent weeks. Statistics on radiation levels on the air and water are readily available. Press conferences highlighting readings on everything from radiation levels inside the plant to fish sampling from the ocean are openly stated and updated on a daily basis. So, much is being done to allay concerns and show both leadership and transparency.

Even so, one wonders why the Tokyo Electric Power company (TEPCO) is still mainly in charge of radiation readings at the plant. As I have noted in previous postings, TEPCO has not exactly been forthright in information transfer. The New York Times had an incredible piece last week highlighting how relations between the nuclear industry, government and even academics create a "nuclear power village" in which skeptics become outcasts who lose out on promotions and backing. All the more reason why Professor Kosako is a star as far as I am concerned.

The IAEA is sending a team to Fukushima mid-May to inspect the nuclear facility. One can ask why it has taken two months to do so, but progress is progress. In addition, Greenpeace is sending its "Rainbow warrior" ship off the coast of Fukushima to engage in ocean water radiation readings. They will be able to operate as close at 12 miles from the plant. So those lacking a vested interest in providing only good news will soon be more deeply involved in conveying information to the public.

Handling a crisis, even when prepared, is never easy. At the core of success is telling the truth. Failure to do so almost always ends poorly, as recent events suggest. I am hopeful that the process of transparency will continue in Japan.

David Wagner is Director of Crisis Communications for Country Risk Solutions, a political risk consulting firm based in Connecticut. He has lived and worked in Japan for 25 years.

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