Japan’s use of nuclear power has crumpled since Fukushima 11 years ago, going from about a third of Japan’s energy source to less than four percent now. Nearly all of its operational plants have been shut down, and for years, the public has been strongly opposed to nuclear power. However, since the war with Ukraine, urgency to decrease emissions, and a threat of a blackout in Tokyo, support has grown for the reactivation of the abandoned plants.

A distinct issue is finding a place to house more than 18,000 tons of nuclear waste that Japan has created. A mayor that volunteered to store some of the spent fuel was responded with extreme backlash, including a firebomb being thrown at his home. Finland and Sweden have settled on permanent areas dedicated to holding the waste, but Japan’s active geology prevents the mirroring of Finland’s underground storage system. It is planned to send metal canisters full of radioactive waste a thousand feet into the earth to decay there, but a site has yet to chosen.

Continuing on the nuclear focus! I have a feeling that there’s a lot of topics to explore on this track, so I’m guessing that you’ll be seeing a lot more of this. Today’s Synopsis was pretty short, but the article I was reading introduced me to vitrification, and I decided it was a good place to leave off so that I could pursue it in my next edition. Plus, I had already read two articles and I was tired. I have school tomorrow and homework to finish. Anyway, I’m excited about the glass, so stay tuned to learn with me!

Rich, Motoko, and Hikari Hida. “In Japan, a Nuclear Reboot Faces Political and Emotional Hurdles.” New York Times, 05/05 2022. ProQuest; SIRS Issues Researcher, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2661206466?accountid=163174.

Dooley, Ben, and Hisako Ueno. “Toxic Legacy for Nuclear Energy Lingers a Decade After Fukushima.” New York Times, 03/11 2021. ProQuest; SIRS Issues Researcher, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2500613934?accountid=163174.