Concerns over radiation exposure and an increase in cancer rates following Japan's nuclear disaster in 2011 led to immediate evacuations of towns surrounding the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant. For the past two years residents have been closely monitored, and those efforts seem to have paid off. This week, a group of UN scientists reported that radiation leaked after the 2011 Fukushima disaster is unlikely to cause any health effects in the future. But that doesn't mean people can go home. The Japanese government says there's still a lot of contamination in the water and soil. This past week, Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, took a look at the report and what it means for local residents. The transcript of that piece is below.

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Reporter:
This year’s report was approved at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It prioritizes reconstruction from the March 11th quake and tsunami, and the nuclear accident they triggered. The report says large amounts of radioactive substances remain in the environment more than two years after the accident. It calls decontamination of the affected areas a pressing issue, and it admits that government efforts have so far failed to dispel fears over possible low dosage exposure.

The report stops short of discussing nuclear power generation as a way to tackle global warming. Before the 2011 accident, the government used a report to promote the use of nuclear energy.

Nobuteru Ishihara, Japanese Environment Minister:
We hope more people will consider how to hand over a truly prosperous society to future generations.

Reporter:
The report also says values appear to be changing in Japan since the disaster, and that the country should shift away from assessing wealth only through GDP figures.

(LinkAsia: June 1, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Over in Japan, the country is still grappling with the effects of last year's enormous earthquake and tsunami. The ensuing disaster at Fukushima-Daiichi shook many peoples' faith in nuclear power.

Now, a government advisory panel has articulated four options regarding the future of the nuclear power industry. These options range from completely abandoning nuclear power to allowing the market to decide how much to produce. Here's NHK with the details of the plan.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: May 29, 2012

Chie Yamagishi:
The de-reliance option is aimed at preventing another nuclear accident in Japan, where earthquakes occur frequently. It would also stop nuclear waste from building up. But Japan's utilities would have to increase electricity output by using thermal power generation for the time being, meaning carbon dioxide emission would rise. Japan would need to quickly switch to renewable energy sources for this option to succeed.

The second option is in line with the Noda administration's policy of decommissioning nuclear plants within 40 years of operation and holding off on building new ones. This plan delays the decision of whether to abolish atomic energy and through sufficient efforts have been made to promote renewable alternatives and improve nuclear safety. Some committee members criticize this proposal saying it lacks direction and postpones a critical decision.

The third option reflects the fact that Japan has limited natural resources and keeps nuclear power in the energy portfolio along with other sources. However, there are challenges. Safe power generation and the disposal of nuclear waste are just a couple of them. Japanese leaders also need to convince the general public that atomic energy is safe in the wake of the Fukushima-Daiichi accident.

The fourth option demands utility companies include the social costs of power generation in their pricing. Subsidies for nuclear plants would be abolished. Consumers would be able to decide what kind of energy they want based on their electricity bills. But opponents of this option say if government officials don't draw up Japan's energy policy and leave it up to the market, the country won't be able to secure a stable power supply.

Cabinet members will look at the proposals. The Noda administration is also promising to get input from the public. Some members of the committee are demanding the government listen sincerely to citizens.

Junko Edahiro, Environmental Journalist:
The government should think about how to reflect public discussion in its policy. It is also important to explain the options in a fair way and to set the stage for discussion.

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Yul Kwon:
Right now, all of Japan's 50 functional nuclear reactors are offline, which is making some officials nervous about power shortages this summer.