Life and Peace (blog)

What we can see from the catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear power plant (Part 2) 

 

                                                 (From a lecture recording)

 

Adjust the demand to stay within the limits of the electricity supply capacity 

 

In the first part of this article, I described how “Even without nuclear power, 

 

there will not be a shortage of electrical power”. Indeed, it is a fact that 

 

tentatively, there is sufficient electricity with the present thermal and 

 

hydraulic power. In addition, in our homes and in the industrial sector, we 

 

ought to try to effectively utilize Japan’s energy conservation technology that 

 

is said to be the best in the world, and further, take measures such as 

 

conserving electricity.

 

I myself am very skeptical about whether economic growth is necessary in the 

 

future. I feel that from now, in our economic activities and daily activities, 

 

we ought to be creative in areas such as conserving energy and electricity, and 

 

adjust and bring the electrical power demand within the limits of the present 

 

electrical power supply capacity as a fundamental measure.

 

Japan’s electrical power policy in the past was to continuously build new power 

 

generation facilities and increase the supply capacity while limitlessly 

 

increasing the electrical power demand. However, this electric power policy is a 

 

main cause of the considerably high rates compared to other countries that have 

 

an electricity price system like Japan. At the same time, it is also a cause of 

 

environmental destruction and wasting energy resources.

 

 

 

To increase the electrical power supply capacity without nuclear power

 

In reality, there are many people, such as in the industrial world, who have the 

 

opinion that more electricity will be necessary in the future in order to 

 

continue economic growth. Then, if we assume that it is necessary to increase 

 

electricity without nuclear power from now, what should be done? I would like to 

 

consider this point in more detail.

 

I feel that if there is a need to increase electricity, to put it simply, we 

 

should increase thermal power more. Decentralized, small-scale, high performance 

 

thermal power generation can be developed in addition to the conventional forms 

 

of petroleum and natural gas thermal power generation. Why is thermal power 

 

generation good? It is because compared to other methods of power generation, 

 

thermal power is overwhelmingly more efficient.

 

Of course, there is the idea of natural energy. However, with the present 

 

technology, we cannot say that power generation with natural energy is 

 

efficient. We have high expectations for technological innovations in the 

 

future. I will discuss this later, but for now, I would like to discuss thermal 

 

energy some more.

 

 

 

Problems of conventional large-scale thermal power generation

 

Most of the large-scale power generation plants until now using thermal, 

 

nuclear, or hydraulic power were constructed in rural areas far from major 

 

cities. Electricity is drawn to cities through transmission lines over a 

 

distance of hundreds of kilometers. But, while the electricity is transmitted 

 

over transmission lines from afar, there is a large amount of electrical power 

 

loss. In addition, it incurs considerable costs such as expenses for 

 

transmission of electricity, and further, expenses for distribution of 

 

electricity. 

 

It is the same with nuclear power, but when generating electrical power at a 

 

thermal power plant, most of the heat emitted is discarded. This precious heat 

 

that could be used to heat things or used in heaters or air-conditioners as heat 

 

energy is being discarded. In fact, it is wasteful. 

 

If small-scale power generation plants were built in the suburbs of metropolitan 

 

areas, in the middle of major cities, or inside of factories, that heat could be 

 

used as is in heaters or air-conditioners in the form of heat energy. If this 

 

were done, about 90% to 100% of the total energy of the consumed petroleum could 

 

be effectively used as electricity and a source of heat.

 

 

 

Local production for local consumption form of demand-and-supply system for 

 

electricity

 

Regarding energy overall, the method of using a decentralized or distributed 

 

energy system is the most efficient. In this sense, it is hoped that the local 

 

production for local consumption form of demand-and-supply system for 

 

electricity spreads and expands.

 

In fact, a high-efficiency, small-scale power generation system using natural 

 

gas with about 60% energy conversion rate has already been developed and is in 

 

actual operation. In the Tokyo region, there is such a system in Kawasaki City. 

 

This system alone has about the same electrical power generation capacity as one 

 

nuclear reactor. If we increasingly build these kinds of systems in the suburbs 

 

of major cities and medium-size cities, electrical power can be generated with 

 

high-efficiency even though the land is small.

 

Fortunately, it is being discovered that there are large amounts of natural gas 

 

located around Japan. The gas just needs to be drawn through pipes. It is said 

 

that it will be possible to extract natural gas for the next 60 to 70 years.

 

At one point, there was a theory that petroleum would last only 20 or 30 more 

 

years, but now, the dominant theory is that petroleum will last at least about 

 

50 years. It is thought that by making effective use of petroleum and natural 

 

gas, we should be able to meet the energy demands sufficiently.

 

 

 

Natural Energy Power Generation

 

Next, let us consider power generation by natural energy in detail. As methods 

 

of power generation by natural energy, in addition to the conventional large-

 

scale hydraulic power generation, there are methods such as solar, wind, 

 

geothermal, and small-scale hydraulic power generation. After the Fukushima 

 

nuclear power plant accident, power generation by natural energy has been 

 

garnering attention as a method of power generation to replace nuclear power.

 

When you say, "nuclear power" or "radiation", from the beginning, an image of 

 

being dangerous accompanies these words. In comparison, when you say, "natural", 

 

a safe and clean image comes to mind, and I feel that is "natural".

 

In addition, when you say "natural", we can almost envision a "free" or 

 

"inexpensive" image. However, at least in the present technological standards, 

 

power generation by natural energy is certainly not "free" nor "inexpensive". If 

 

anything, it is rather expensive. Further, it also actually does not conserve on 

 

petroleum. 

 

 

 

The problems with solar power generation

 

At present, solar power generation is being highly-touted in Japan. Although the 

 

technology has recently progressed much, a large amount of electricity is 

 

required to make the silicon that is a material for solar batteries. Tracing 

 

back, we find that the source of that electricity is petroleum. 

 

Electricity cannot be generated at night with solar power generation. In 

 

addition, since the solar panels remain outside, of course, dust accumulates and 

 

blocks the sunlight. Furthermore, different from countries with a desert-like 

 

climate that are blessed with sunlight and clear weather year-round, since there 

 

are many cloudy or rainy days in Japan, the amount of solar radiation is very 

 

small. Therefore, the rate of operation and efficiency falls significantly. 

 

Considering these factors, solar power generation becomes fairly expensive. It 

 

is said that it takes about 10 years to retrieve the installation cost, and from 

 

there, finally, the balance becomes positive. Perhaps it can be said that solar 

 

batteries are still at a stage requiring wide-scale technological developments. 

 

 

 

There are problems with subsidies

 

There are several problems related to this issue. First, substantial subsidies 

 

are provided by the government and local governmental entities when installing a 

 

solar power generation system. With these subsidies, for example, people who 

 

install solar panels may only need to bear half of the cost, so the subsidies 

 

are a great help for these people.

 

However, those subsidies ultimately come from our taxes. At least at the present 

 

stage, people who do not adopt solar power generation are subsidizing the people 

 

who adopt solar power generation. Maybe this has meaning for promoting solar 

 

power generation, but perhaps it can be said that it is a big contradiction.

 

Furthermore, these subsidies do not go to the people who adopt solar energy, but 

 

ultimately go to the pockets of the producers and vendors of solar power 

 

generation equipment. 

 

 

 

Problems with the legislative bill for renewable energy

 

At present, "the law for renewable energy" is garnering much attention. This is 

 

a system to make the electric power companies buy renewable energy such as solar 

 

energy for a fixed period at a fixed price that is higher than the regular 

 

electricity rate. 

 

Already, purchasing of solar power generated electricity by electric power 

 

companies has been implemented. At present, the household electricity rate is 23 

 

yen per 1 kilowatt-hour. From April 2011, the electric power companies have been 

 

buying at 42 yen per kilowatt-hour. They are buying at almost twice the price.

 

The electric power companies consequently charge the 19 yen difference to us 

 

ordinary people on top of the electricity fee. Therefore, no matter how high the 

 

rate for purchasing electricity, the electric power companies will not lose at 

 

all. We, the many people who do not set up solar power generation equipment, are 

 

the ones who lose.

 

Further, it is expected that the following type of problem will arise if people 

 

are forced to buy electricity at high fixed prices during the fixed period. That 

 

is, perhaps many people will emerge who plan to make money by setting up large 

 

quantities of solar panels and having electric power companies buy the large 

 

amounts of excess electricity generated. 

 

By doing so, for example, if a wealthy person sets up a large quantity of solar 

 

panels at one time, the person will automatically gain a large continuous 

 

income. Then, poor people who cannot set up solar panels will have to continue 

 

to pay that money. 

 

Therefore, we must not just say, "Natural energy is wonderful" in a sort of 

 

"mood". We must determine the policy for the future with full awareness that the 

 

measures to spread natural energy have the potential to trigger a great 

 

contradiction. I am repeating what I said before, but we are the ones who must 

 

keep watch properly.

 

 

 

The potential and problems of wind power generation and small-scale hydraulic 

 

power generation

 

Next, let us consider wind power generation. According to the April 22 Asahi 

 

Newspaper, the Ministry of the Environment reported that after investigating 

 

locations with suitable wind conditions throughout Japan, even taking into 

 

consideration the low rate of operation of wind power generation, it will be 

 

possible to build wind power generation facilities to supply the equivalent of 7 

 

to 40 nuclear reactors. 

 

However, solar power generation is still unstable, and the wind is not always 

 

available for wind power generation. A system properly controlled with a 

 

computer such as with a smart grid that can supply stable electric power is 

 

necessary. In this aspect, Japan’s technology is considerably advanced.

 

Besides solar and wind power, a small-scale hydraulic power generation system is 

 

an effective power generation method. Electric power is generated by turning 

 

small-scale water wheels using water such as from agricultural water, industrial 

 

water, tap water, final effluent from sewage treatment plants, and cooling water 

 

used in air-conditioning equipment of office buildings and factories. 

 

Even if we look only at agricultural waterways, there are several hundreds of 

 

kilometers throughout the country. In various regions, including Kawasaki City 

 

and Yokoyama City, the waterworks department is generating electricity by 

 

installing small-scale hydraulic power generation systems in the water pipes of 

 

the water supply. 

 

When planning a solution for the energy problem, a major premise is to 

 

transition to a system in which in the daily lives of individuals and production 

 

system of businesses, wasteful use of energy resources is avoided as much as 

 

possible. In addition, if natural energy is used whenever possible, even if on a 

 

small scale, a large amount of electricity can be generated in Japan overall, 

 

and compared to large-scale power generation systems, the burden on the 

 

environment would become much smaller. 

 

 

 

To spread natural energy power generation 

 

In order to spread and promote natural energy, and make the various power 

 

generation methods more efficient, technology needs to be developed even more. 

 

However, until now, power generation methods with natural energy have not truly 

 

been used effectively because fundamentally, the major electric power companies 

 

have been monopolizing and at the same time, promotion of nuclear power has been 

 

the national policy.

 

Therefore, as a direction for the future, I think that it is absolutely 

 

necessary to liquidate the major electric power companies such as Tokyo Electric 

 

Power Company, partition into transmission and generation parts, and allow 

 

general private electric power companies to compete freely. If this were done, 

 

electricity prices would decrease considerably, and more efficient service could 

 

be provided.

 

Regarding nuclear power, if all nuclear power plants are decommissioned as soon 

 

as possible, and the money from the government that was being poured into 

 

nuclear power is routed to fund research and development and technological 

 

innovations in natural energy, in the near future, we should be able to grow 

 

natural energy into a major pillar for electric power supply along with thermal 

 

and hydraulic power. 

 

 

 

Will electricity prices increase if nuclear power is abandoned?

 

In addition, many people in the financial circles have the following opinion. If 

 

nuclear power is abandoned and natural energy is used as an alternative, Japan's 

 

electricity prices will increase. If this is so, businesses that have production 

 

based in Japan will be at a tremendous disadvantage in international pricing 

 

competition. Therefore, it will become necessary to move production bases 

 

overseas. 

 

This is certainly a major problem. However, I think that even if nuclear power 

 

is abandoned, since thermal and hydraulic power can supply the necessary 

 

electric power, fundamentally, electricity prices would not need to be raised. 

 

Of course, in the initial adjustment period, there is the possibility of some 

 

problems occurring, but I think it is necessary to be creative and overcome 

 

them. 

 

Regarding this issue, the problem lies in the fact that compared to other 

 

countries, electricity prices are far too expensive in Japan. The root cause is 

 

that the major electric power companies have set the electricity prices 

 

arbitrarily. In addition, if the electric power demand increased even a little, 

 

a tremendous amount of money was invested and large-scale power generation 

 

plants were built one after another. That tremendous amount of money was added 

 

to the electricity prices. 

 

In order to fundamentally solve this issue, as I described earlier, we can 

 

introduce a new way of thinking, that is, to meet the demand within the supply 

 

capacity at the national level. The power generation section and power 

 

transmission section of the major electric power companies should be separated. 

 

Further, promotion of free competition among the electric power companies, and 

 

ideas in such directions are also conceivable. 

 

In any case, perhaps it means the ways of the government and electric power 

 

companies were very abnormal. After the nuclear plant accident at Fukushima, a 

 

considerable amount of information surfaced about the electric power companies’ 

 

monopolizing everything, fabricating data, concealing nuclear power plant 

 

accidents and giving instructions to fake events. However, there is probably 

 

still much more information that has been concealed.

 

In the background of the accident this time, there is a structure in which 

 

without mentioning names, media and scholars under the government’s thumb who 

 

received research funding from organizations such as electric power companies, 

 

the government, bureaucrats, politicians, and the financial world, swarmed to 

 

the concessions and rights behind the electrical power, secretly joined forces 

 

with conspirators, deceived the citizens and used them at will, gaining 

 

concessions worth an enormous amount of money.

 

 

 

What is behind the support to continue nuclear power?

 

Let us dig more deeply and think about this issue. For example, in regions that 

 

have nuclear power related facilities, of course there are people who say 

 

nuclear plants should be stopped because they are dangerous. Nevertheless, of 

 

the people who work in nuclear power related facilities, quite a large number of 

 

people think that nuclear power is necessary for daily life, even if nuclear 

 

plants are dangerous. 

 

They have children and families. There is no other work. Their livelihood 

 

depends on it. Perhaps even while knowing nuclear plants are dangerous, they 

 

feel that there is no choice. This is the very sad reality. 

 

However, considering another side of this issue, if for one’s livelihood, there 

 

is truly no choice but to the support the continuation of nuclear power, and 

 

this is connected to supporting nuclear power in the country overall, this is a 

 

serious problem. It is possible that another major accident will occur. Is it 

 

okay even if this is the case? What will happen to the other people?

 

By saying things like this, naturally, people will say I can say such things 

 

because it is about other people, and not myself. I am fully aware of this. 

 

However, we cannot be arguing at this point. You might be told there is no other 

 

choice. This means there are people who say that nuclear power is necessary for 

 

their livelihood, and they have no other alternative. 

 

In a sense, this is at the limit. People do not have the leeway to consider 

 

others because they need to make a living or because they need to ensure their 

 

family's livelihood. Perhaps this is the way it is among people with each other. 

 

You can understand well if you put yourself in that position. It is a truly 

 

harsh and sad reality.

 

Even now, among the people who live in regions far away from nuclear power 

 

related facilities, such as in Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, there are many who 

 

support nuclear power. If nuclear power plants were brought to Tokyo, would they 

 

still support nuclear power? These people support nuclear power, but would they 

 

still be in favor of nuclear power if a nuclear plant were built near where they 

 

live? Probably, they would not.

 

Now, even among the people who say they support nuclear power, they probably 

 

would support nuclear power if the nuclear power plants were far from where they 

 

live, but honestly, the majority would be in a bind if the nuclear plants were 

 

brought nearby. 

 

 

 

Similar to the Futenma Military Base relocation issue

 

This issue is similar to the Futenma Military Base relocation issue in some way. 

 

The prime minister at the time said he would like to move the base outside of 

 

Japan, and if that were not possible, at least move the base outside of Okinawa.

 

However, he was told "No" by the U.S. Then, even if you ask another prefecture 

 

to accept the base, in the end, no one would accept it. The people in any 

 

prefecture would be in a bind if a new military base were brought to their 

 

prefecture. In this way, ultimately, we are pushing all of the military bases 

 

onto the people of Okinawa. 

 

Related to this issue, many people are speaking out, sympathizing with the 

 

people of Okinawa. However, in that case, shouldn't we accept the base in our 

 

own region? I think there were many people who did nothing but blame the former 

 

prime minister's lack of power, without having any inclination or preparation to 

 

share the suffering of the people of Okinawa. 

 

Then, what should we have done? I think the citizens of Japan, ought to have 

 

united, called on the government of Japan, and depending on the circumstances, 

 

made a demand directly to the U.S. government to relocate the Futenma base 

 

overseas. 

 

Considering the present international situation, I think we, ourselves, ought to 

 

unite and clearly tell the U.S. government, "Japan does not need or want U.S. 

 

bases". However, if the result of new thorough and sufficient discussions is, 

 

"U.S. bases are necessary in Japan", instead of pushing the bases onto only 

 

Okinawa, I think we ought to accept and allocate the bases throughout the entire 

 

country of Japan. 

 

 

 

Egoism is the root of the various problems

 

In any case, whether it be nuclear power plants or the Futenma base relocation 

 

issue, the positions in which we have been placed differ, and although there are 

 

delicate issues in the background, what we can see here is each person's 

 

selfishness or egoism, "as long as it is in my interests".

 

I think we can say that, ultimately, the root of the various serious problems in 

 

Japan and the world is "as long as it is in my interests", that is, egoism. I 

 

feel that without eliminating egoism, the serious problems of Japan and the 

 

world cannot be solved. Hasn't this become more and more clear through the 

 

Fukushima nuclear plant catastrophe?

 

Regarding the Fukushima nuclear plant accident, a big problem is how to restore 

 

to the original state from now. At the same time, I think that if we let this 

 

opportunity slip away, we will not have a second chance to permanently abolish 

 

nuclear power, nor truly change Japan to a good direction.　In this sense, I 

 

think that now is a big chance. 

 

 

 

The future of Japan and the world is in the hands of each one of us 

 

I think many of you probably already knew about the information related to 

 

nuclear power in today's talk up to this point. In the end, the issue is what 

 

can we do from now? 

 

If we clarify the information to this extent, the only option we have is to 

 

abolish all nuclear power. In order to abolish all nuclear power, each one of us 

 

must verify this fact clearly with data and convey this to others with 

 

certainty.

 

In fact, we are by far the majority. We ordinary people constitute 99% of the 

 

citizens. Even so, we have been completely led around by 1% of the people. It is 

 

important that each one of us becomes smarter, increases in strength, and takes 

 

action.

 

When I say, "convey with certainty", what I mean is not only conveying the truth 

 

about nuclear power with facts. In order to convey this message to all of us who 

 

constitute the 99%, a chain reaction, where the people to whom this message was 

 

conveyed further convey the message to others, must arise. The importance of 

 

this must be conveyed properly from person to person. 

 

I feel that if this chain reaction does not arise, we will never be able to 

 

bring to reality permanent abolishment of nuclear power. Furthermore, we will 

 

not be able to create a society of true peace where everyone is happy. I feel 

 

this is the most important point as we take action.

 

 

 

It is not enough to try to change only nuclear power

 

Then, is it okay to consider only nuclear power? This society is not one in 

 

which nuclear power is the only abnormal point. Issues including those related 

 

to politics, economics, social welfare, education, and livelihood all are 

 

closely intertwined.　

 

Therefore, if you try to solve the problem of nuclear power only within the 

 

framework nuclear power, in the end, it will be impossible. If you try to solve 

 

this issue, another problem will surface elsewhere. If you try to solve that 

 

problem, again, another problem will surface. In this way, I think it is like 

 

"mogura tataki (whack-a-mole)", an arcade game where you try to hit moles as 

 

they pop up from many different holes. 

 

For example, even if you think that since there are various problems in the 

 

educational system, we need to make changes, the bigger the problem, the more 

 

difficult it will be to make changes within the framework of the educational 

 

system. The reason is that this society overall has become this kind of system, 

 

and everything is intertwined closely with each other.

 

This society overall is a competitive society. Within this competitive society, 

 

it is extremely difficult to aspire toward truly human education instead of 

 

competitive education. To change education, the way of industry and economics, 

 

in particular, must change. Also, at the same time, politics must change.

 

 

 

It is important to consider the direction of the overall society

 

Since everything is closely related in this way in this society, I think that we 

 

have come to a period where we must think about the direction in which this 

 

overall society will head. 

 

In other words, in which direction is our civilization headed? I would like to 

 

talk about this point now. 

 

For example, I said that this society is a competitive society now, but why has 

 

it become a competitive society? Why did such a thing as nuclear power emerge in 

 

this society? Why is economic growth said to be important? I would like to 

 

consider these kinds of things from a different angle. 

 

 

 

Egoism is the foundation of this society

 

Saying it another way, what is the most fundamental cause of this kind of 

 

nuclear power plant accident occurring? This nuclear power problem cannot be 

 

solved in the true sense without searching for and removing that fundamental 

 

cause. Furthermore, other problems that accompany this will also not be solved. 

 

Why did the nuclear plant accident occur? What is the fundamental cause? I 

 

touched upon this earlier, but isn't egoism, that is, our selfishness, at the 

 

base of this society? To put it simply, isn't this society itself formed with 

 

ego at the base? 

 

 

 

Egoism arises from the sense of separateness

 

I think this egoism arises ultimately from the idea that our existences are 

 

separate from each other. Ordinarily, we do not have open confrontations or 

 

fighting with each other, but ultimately, we are originally separate existences 

 

from each other. After all, the most important is oneself or one’s family. 

 

Fundamentally, hasn't the "sense of separateness", in which we are all 

 

existences with conflicting interests, become the foundation of this society? 

 

I think that from this sense of separateness, in the end, egoism, which is as 

 

long it is in the best interests of myself, my family, my organization, and my 

 

country, has resulted.

 

In this society of egoism, taking business for example, one's own business 

 

prospering more than other businesses becomes more important than anything else. 

 

Further, since one's livelihood is also at stake, it becomes as long as it is in 

 

the best interests of my business even more so. 

 

Egoism arises from the notion that we are separate from each other. In addition, 

 

various things emerge from egoism such as an excessive sense of competition, 

 

that is, the sense that one cannot feel stable unless one becomes more 

 

materially prosperous, or achieves higher status or title. One always seeks 

 

"more and more". Despite this, it is a way of life in which the heart is 

 

unstable and anxious forever. 

 

If opinions differ among people, anger, envy, and hatred arise. If a person is 

 

alone, he or she feels a sense of loneliness and blames him- or herself. All of 

 

these negative emotions fundamentally emerge from the way of thinking that 

 

humans are separate existences.

 

 

 

In fact, we are members of one whole

 

However, humans are truly not separate from one another, and it is something you 

 

can understand if you think about it a little. It is reasonable. We are living 

 

one life. We were made from the same ancestors. According to a scientific 

 

research, all people living on earth today are descendants of one woman who 

 

lived in East Africa 150,000 years ago.

 

Even with just that fact, it means we are sharing "one life". In English, it is 

 

"oneness", and in Japanese, it is "one indivisible body". Our reality is that we 

 

are beings that cannot be cut off from each other even if we try to cut 

 

ourselves apart from one another. 

 

In the human body, the various tissues, cells, and organs are not separated from 

 

one another and are cooperating and living one life. In the same way, we are all 

 

in an inseparably close relationship as members of one body. I think this is the 

 

true form of a human being's existence.

 

As evidence, by thinking a little calmly, anyone will realize that within us, we 

 

have a desire to be friendly with others. When we fight with others, we do not 

 

feel good. The desire to be friends and for everyone together to become happy is 

 

an instinct inherent in everyone. This instinct of coexistence is inherently 

 

provided within us. Along with the instinct of self-protection, we have an 

 

inherent instinct of coexistence desiring that everyone together becomes happy.

 

 

Abandoning Egoism

 

This truth of being members of one body does not only pertain to humans. Each of 

 

us, all animals, plants, nature and the universe are living the life that has 

 

continued without any breaks. I think we instinctively feel at ease in nature 

 

because we are basically one with nature.

 

In reality, we are all one, and it is a very superficial way of thinking to say 

 

that humans are separate from each other. I think that when you stand from the 

 

point of view that "we are all members of one body", various things change. To 

 

put it simply, shedding off egoism begins. 

 

Egoism is not only individual egoism, but also there is group egoism such as 

 

family, organizations such as businesses, regions, and nations. In a sense, we 

 

can say that egoism was the motivating force for the human civilization to 

 

develop ? to the present state.

 

However, looking at the reality that human society is virtually at an impasse 

 

because of the various serious problems, we can see that human society can no 

 

longer develop with egoism. Rather, we can say that through egoism, we have 

 

reached the point where we could destroy ourselves. 

 

In other words, it means human society’s way of being and way of thinking up 

 

until now based on egoism is fundamentally mistaken. It is probably not an 

 

overstatement to say that egoism is the fundamental cause of individual and 

 

societal suffering and strife of humans.

 

Including this nuclear power issue, in order to overcome this difficult 

 

situation and bring to realization a peaceful society where everyone is happy, 

 

now of all times, we must make up our mind to earnestly seek a way to break away 

 

from egoism.

 

 

 

Individual egoism, group egoism, and national egoism

 

From long ago, shedding individual egoism or eliminating egoism has been the aim 

 

of honest religions. Even if not related to religion, it has been a serious 

 

challenge for sensible people who have devoted themselves with great pains. 

 

Further, certainly, as a human being, it is an undeniable fact that there is 

 

nothing more difficult than shedding or eliminating one's ego.

 

Incidentally, of the various egoisms, the biggest one that brought about the 

 

impasse in human society is national egoism. The present international society 

 

is operating with the nation as a unit, and the fundamental policy of the 

 

various nations is based on egoism, which is, "as long as it is in the interests 

 

of my own nation". Then, suspicion, distrust, competition, and conflicts arise 

 

among the nations. 

 

Adding to this, because of national egoism, the egoism of individuals living in 

 

that nation and businesses and others conducting activities in that nation also 

 

is also amplified. For that reason, as individuals also, materialistic desires 

 

increase and we want more and more, and competition among businesses 

 

intensifies.

 

The science and technology civilization develops even more rapidly because of 

 

competition among businesses, conflicts among nations, and wars. As a result, 

 

the scale of wars enlarges, and that in turn, advances scientific technology. In 

 

addition, the result of the competition to acquire resources is that destruction 

 

of the environment advances. The overall result of these kinds of factors is 

 

that the present human society is facing an impasse in various aspects.

 

 

 

National egoism is the main culprit behind the various problems

 

In this way, conflict in national egoism is the culprit behind the various 

 

serious problems internationally and domestically. At the same time, to 

 

fundamentally solve the various serious problems, even if events such as 

 

international environmental conferences and disarmament meetings are held, if 

 

the meetings are based on conflicts in national egoism, maneuvering is done from 

 

start to finish to bring things toward one’s own nation's advantage. National 

 

egoism has become a major barrier such that agreements toward solutions cannot 

 

be reached at all.

 

Until now also, the necessity of eliminating national egoism has been preached. 

 

Regarding this, it is armchair theory at that all nations would discuss and give 

 

up national egoism at the same time. This is clear even if you look at the 

 

tactics at international meetings. In order to overcome the crisis facing human 

 

society and the society of Japan, I think it is absolutely impossible to try to 

 

solve from within the flow of the history of human society up to now. To solve 

 

fundamentally, it is absolutely necessary to go outside the flow of the history 

 

of human society up to now.

 

 

 

Japan leads and renounces national egoism

 

In the international society also, Japan should take the lead and unilaterally 

 

renounce national egoism, which had been considered inherent until now. As I 

 

described before, to shed or eliminate individual egoism completely is very 

 

difficult. Therefore, entrusting this to the nation has significant meaning.

 

I think that something that is difficult for an individual to bring to reality 

 

can be entrusted to the nation. If national egoism is encouraging the egoism of 

 

individuals, groups, and others, then it is anticipated that by eliminating 

 

national egoism, the level of individual and group egoism will decrease.

 

 

 

Let us raise an ideal for Japan that everyone can accept

 

This is my proposal, "Let us go beyond national egoism and raise an ideal in 

 

Japan to shed national egoism". Concretely, it is for "Japan to aspire toward a 

 

nation for international peace and the environment". At the base of this bright 

 

ideal is that we devote ourselves and put forth the resources of the nation of 

 

Japan toward the various difficult problems of the world using peaceful methods.

 

Fortunately, the present constitution of Japan is the first constitution in 

 

human history that abandons national egoism. This means Japan is blessed with 

 

the most advantageous condition among the nations of the world to raise an ideal 

 

to aspire for abandoning national egoism.

 

Domestically, this wonderful ideal of abandoning national egoism would bring 

 

about major changes in industry, education, social welfare, environmental 

 

measures, and other areas. At the same time, by having our daily work and 

 

studies or daily lives become directly connected to the happiness of the 

 

citizens overall as well as the hopes of humanity for permanent world peace and 

 

happiness of humanity, we would feel satisfaction and motivation in living every 

 

day, and individually and organizationally, a society that abandons egoism would 

 

be built rapidly.

 

If this were to happen, the many concerned people of the world who love peace 

 

would accept and be satisfied anew that this indeed is the most realistic way 

 

and right path to solve the problems of human society. By doing this, there is 

 

no doubt that there would be a huge rise in momentum in the countries of the 

 

world to renounce national egoism. If this were to happen, I think that in a 

 

surprisingly short period, this world would be a world free of national egoism. 

 

Let me repeat this once again. I think that in the vision or direction to try to 

 

bring to reality a nation free of egoism or a society free of egoism, we will 

 

head with certainty toward solving fundamentally the nuclear power problem and 

 

the various serious problems of society such as education and environmental 

 

problems. This is the point of the proposal in my book, “Beyond National Egoism

 

”.

 

 

Finally, I would like to end this talk by saying that I would appreciate your 

 

reading this book, “Beyond National Egoism”, in order to understand this 

 

proposal more deeply.

 

 

(If you have any comments regarding this blog, please send email to the address 

 

below.

Comments will not be released to the general public without consent.)

 

vojnehosa@za3.so-net.ne.jp

 

 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

 

 

What we can see from the catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear power plant (Part 1) 

 

                                            (From a lecture recording)

 

 

The Fukushima power plant accident and the impasse of human society

 

 

In 2007, I published the book, “A Country’s Ideal and the Constitution?The 

 

Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment” (Japanese), and 

 

in 2008, the English translation was published under the title, “Beyond 

 

National Egoism”. At age 22, I encountered the concept that is presented in 

 

this book. This book was a compilation of more than 40 years of contemplation 

 

since then.

 

The present world is at an impasse because of various difficult problems such as 

 

war, conflicts, terrorism, environmental problems, food supply shortage, 

 

poverty, famine, and energy shortage. Human society is facing an unprecedented 

 

crisis.

 

Further, amidst this, in Japan there are not only environmental problems, but 

 

also educational issues such as bullying, school absenteeism, and classroom 

 

disruption and chaos. Considering the young people, many of them say that in 

 

this society, they cannot find a worthy purpose or motivation in living. Of 

 

course, there are many young people who are working hard and doing their best, 

 

but overall, we can see a tendency of extremely weak will. I feel this is 

 

something that should be very alarming regarding the future of Japan.

 

In addition, the direction toward strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance and 

 

having Japan participate in wars along with the U.S., has gradually gained 

 

strength. Through all this, it appears that Japan has reached an impasse because 

 

of various factors, such as whether the Constitution, which is the key point of 

 

Japan’s future, should be revised or not.

 

This unprecedented crisis of humankind did not begin recently. The survival of 

 

humankind itself was endangered in the Cold War era in which the U.S. and Soviet 

 

Union confronted each other over decades in a state of extreme tension with the 

 

possibility of an all-out nuclear war because they held several tens of 

 

thousands of nuclear arms that were said to have the potential to kill all 

 

humankind many tens of times over.

 

Fortunately, the collapse of the Soviet Union signaled the end of the Cold War. 

 

However, although the situation is no longer as tense as before, the U.S. and 

 

Russia still have a large quantity of nuclear weapons. After the end of the Cold 

 

War, besides the U.S. and Russia, there has been an increase in the number of 

 

countries including China that possess and are strengthening their nuclear 

 

weapons. Certainly, it is thought that there is no longer a threat of an all-out 

 

nuclear war for now, but the risk of nuclear war has not necessarily gone away. 

 

In addition, from 30 years ago, the problem of global-scale environmental 

 

destruction has emerged in a big way. We have come to understand that if we 

 

continue production and economic growth in the present form, the earth 

 

environment itself will be destroyed and the survival of humans will be 

 

threatened in the future.

 

In my youth, when I learned that we might end up destroying ourselves, I felt 

 

greatly shocked, and thought, “Humans are so foolish.” At the same time, I 

 

thought, “Humans absolutely cannot be such foolish beings. Humans will 

 

unfailingly realize their mistakes, correct them with their own hands, and 

 

should be able to bring to reality a world where everyone is happy and at peace

 

”. Since that time, as my life theme, I have been contemplating a solution for 

 

the impasse faced by Japan and the world, and the realization of a happy and 

 

peaceful world.

 

The main theme of those contemplations is as follows. In order to resolve the 

 

impasse faced by human society, find the most fundamental cause of the impasse 

 

of human society and determine what can be done to remove the cause. The work 

 

was complied together as the book, “Beyond National Egoism”.

 

 

 

The nuclear power plant catastrophe that was forewarned frequently

 

This book explains about the impasse condition of the entire human society, 

 

including Japan, from various angles. The risks of a nuclear power plant 

 

accident are described in considerable detail.

 

Already two months have passed since the accident occurred at the Fukushima 

 

Daiichi Power Plant this year, on March 11. That day, at our house, we also felt 

 

tremors with an intensity of a weak 6 on the Japanese seven-level seismic scale. 

 

After a while, we heard news of this nuclear plant accident, and my first 

 

thought was, “It happened, after all”. If I were to express my feelings of 

 

that time, only the word “chagrin” comes to mind. 

 

What I mean is that already 4 to 5 years ago, in this book, I had written that 

 

the risk of a nuclear power plant accident is very great, and that if an 

 

accident were to occur, undoubtedly, it would happen in the way that occurred 

 

this time. Indeed, it happened exactly as described.

 

Actually, I felt perplexed that my prediction was accurate. What I mean is that 

 

I am not an expert regarding nuclear power, nor am I an expert in social 

 

science.

 

So, when I was working on the book, “Beyond National Egoism”, I read books 

 

from various related fields of study in order to examine what is actually 

 

occurring.

 

I looked over about 10 to 20 books related to nuclear power. What I learned from 

 

reading those books is that already from several decades earlier, although their 

 

numbers were not at all large, reliable researchers and concerned experts warned 

 

based on scientific knowledge and research, “Nuclear power plants are extremely 

 

risky”.

 

Despite these warnings, finally, a large-scale nuclear power plant accident 

 

occurred this time. I was stunned and appalled as I thought anew about what on 

 

earth we had been doing until now.

 

Various people have been fervently warning about the risks of nuclear power. Of 

 

course, there are many people who lent an ear to those warnings, and worked 

 

hard, raising their voices and taking action to abandon nuclear power. But, 

 

despite these efforts and activities, a large-scale nuclear plant accident 

 

occurred this time.

 

This means that overall, still, only a small number of people seriously lent an 

 

ear to the warnings of these people and assertively took action based on those 

 

warnings. As a result, doesn’t this indicate that they could not become a 

 

definitive force to change this country of Japan? 

 

 

Search for the essence of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident

 

A large-scale nuclear power plant accident already occurred in Fukushima, but to 

 

avoid this kind of accident from ever happening again, I feel that now of all 

 

times, we must address anew the importance of “thinking seriously and acting 

 

seriously”.

 

As I mentioned before, I am not an expert regarding nuclear power. In this 

 

aspect, I am a complete amateur. However, as of four years ago, since I read 

 

various books and studied in order to write “Beyond National Egoism”, I was 

 

better informed than the general level people regarding nuclear power. 

 

But, after the nuclear plant accident in Fukushima, various people have spoken 

 

out about nuclear power on television, in the newspapers, on the Internet, etc. 

 

Even people whose voices were small until now have received great coverage. 

 

Accordingly, many of you probably already know well about what I will discuss 

 

from now.

 

So, even though this is the case, the main topic of today’s talk is to search 

 

for the essence of the problem as we verify anew the information one more time.

 

 

The myth of the safety of nuclear power was disproved

 

First, the biggest thing that has become clear until now is that the electric 

 

power companies and the government or Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 

 

have been saying that nuclear power is absolutely safe, and that this myth of 

 

the safety of nuclear power has been completely disproved.

 

Concomitantly, it became clear that until now, the electric power companies had 

 

been saying lies upon lies. This means that from now, the situation has become 

 

such that no matter what the electric power companies such as Tokyo Electric 

 

Power Company, Chubu Electric Power Company, and Kansai Electric Power Company 

 

try to say, we have reached the point where we will not be able to trust them 

 

completely.

 

To put it simply, we were being deceived by the government and the electric 

 

power companies. In other words, it means we were completely taken for fools. It 

 

is something I had realized, but anew, I feel deeply chagrined.

 

Furthermore, in the announcements by the Tokyo Electric Power Company and the 

 

government, the word, “unexpected” is used very frequently. Various things 

 

have been said about this point, but with just a little studying, even an 

 

amateur like myself could “expect” the possibility of this kind of accident 

 

occurring.

 

What on earth does it mean when a person who is said to be a specialist, uses 

 

the word “unexpected” regarding something that an amateur like me can 

 

understand?

 

Although I am an amateur regarding nuclear power, in the past, I was a 

 

researcher in the sciences. From that perspective, I feel that it is extremely 

 

disgraceful for an expert to overuse the word “unexpected”. Their intent to 

 

want to evade the issue and continue nuclear power even now is obvious. 

 

 

Is nuclear power cheap?

 

There is another point to consider. Until now, as one of the grounds for 

 

supporting nuclear power, the government and electric power companies have been 

 

saying that nuclear power generation is less expensive than thermal power and 

 

other power generation methods.

 

For example, according to the “Energy White Paper” (2010 edition) of the 

 

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the costs of power generation per 

 

kilowatt hour are 7 to 8 yen for thermal generation using liquified natural gas, 

 

8 to 13 yen for hydraulic power, 10 to 14 yen for wind power, and 49 yen for 

 

solar power. In comparison, nuclear power is 5 to 6 yen per kWh.

 

However, until now, many experts have been saying that based on data, nuclear 

 

power is certainly not cheap, and is also not less expensive than thermal power.

 

Recently, in the April 30 issue of the Tokyo Newspaper, Professor Kenichi Oshima 

 

of Ritsumeikan University presented data comparing the costs until now of 

 

nuclear power generation with other methods such as thermal and hydraulic 

 

generation. These can be found through a search on the Internet. Starting from 

 

the reports of the electric companies, Professor Oshima calculated the costs 

 

more precisely by adding factors such as taxes to promote development of nuclear 

 

power and expenses for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel that were not included in 

 

the calculations of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

 

By doing so, the costs of power generation per kilowatt hour are 9.90 yen for 

 

thermal power, 7.26 yen for hydraulic power, and 10.68 yen for nuclear power, so 

 

nuclear power is the most expensive. Furthermore, this is approximately twice 

 

the 5 to 6 yen calculated cost that the government used in the “Energy White 

 

Paper” mentioned above. 

 

In addition, for nuclear power generation, a pumping-up hydroelectric power 

 

plant is necessary. In other words, the nuclear power plant and pumping-up 

 

hydroelectric power plant are a set, and in this case, the cost becomes 12. 23 

 

yen. So, nuclear power is certainly not cheap.

 

 

Does nuclear power save on petroleum?

 

Another grounds for the theory of promoting nuclear power is the assertion, 

 

“Nuclear power saves on petroleum”. Is this really true?

 

To check this, we only need to calculate the electrical power productivity 

 

ratio. For a power generation method, the electrical power productivity ratio is 

 

the ratio of the amount of energy of all the petroleum input for generating 

 

electricity to the electric power generated, converted into the amount of 

 

petroleum energy.

 

This means that if the output energy is greater than the input energy (converted 

 

into petroleum), that is, if the electrical power productivity ratio is greater 

 

than 1, the energy balance is positive, and it would be meaningful to implement 

 

that power generation method. Also, the larger the electrical power productivity 

 

ratio, the more efficient the power generation method from the perspective of 

 

energy balance. In short, it would mean that method is also profitable 

 

economically and saves on petroleum.

 

In contrast, if the productivity ratio is less than 1, the energy balance would 

 

be negative, and it would mean there is no point in implementing that power 

 

generation method. Even worse, if the method were implemented, it would be a 

 

loss economically and a wasteful use of petroleum.

 

For example, in the case of coal-fired power generation, the power created from 

 

coal that was mined by using 1 unit of petroleum is said to be equivalent to 

 

about 100 units of petroleum. That means the electrical power productivity ratio 

 

is 100, and coal-fired power generation makes sense. 

 

However, for petroleum-fired power generation, in which petroleum is used to 

 

drill for petroleum that is burned to generate electricity, the electrical power 

 

productivity ratio is much larger than 100. This means that from the energy 

 

balance perspective, petroleum-fired power generation is much more efficient 

 

than coal-fired power generation. For this reason, usage of coal-fired power 

 

generation declined. 

 

Now, how about nuclear power generation? According to the calculations by the 

 

U.S. Bureau of Energy Development in 1976, the electrical productivity ratio was 

 

3.8 for nuclear power in the U.S. The figure was 4.0 according to a report of 

 

the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in Japan in 1991, 

 

although the details of the calculations were not made public. It is believed 

 

that these figures are nearly the same because the calculations were based on 

 

similar presumptions such as the model set-up and processes.

 

It is clear that when calculating energy balance, if there are oversights of 

 

conditions that ought to be assumed in the calculations, that is, if some 

 

elements are left out, it will not lead to accurate results.

 

First, to calculate the energy input, all of the energy input for generation of 

 

electricity must be totaled. For example, everything must be incorporated, such 

 

as mining and refining of uranium, expenditures for construction of the power 

 

generation plant, costs of operating the power plant, and expenditures for 

 

construction of the pumping-up hydroelectric power generation plant needed to 

 

run the nuclear plant. From the output energy, it is necessary to subtract 

 

factors such as expenditures for processing the nuclear waste materials, and 

 

losses from factors such as transmission and nighttime electricity usage at the 

 

pumping-up hydroelectric power generation plant.

 

Dr. Atsushi Tsuchida, a physicist, has pointed out that there were considerable 

 

oversights in the calculations of the U.S. Bureau of Energy Development, and 

 

correcting for these, he calculated the following results.

 

Regarding the “energy input”, construction of a pumping-up hydroelectric power 

 

plant required for operating a nuclear power plant, construction of an electric 

 

power plant and electricity used for operation, and construction of a long 

 

distance electrical transmission facility were overlooked elements, so these 

 

were added. In addition, regarding “energy output”, nighttime power loss in a 

 

pumping-up hydroelectric power plant and losses in transmission were subtracted. 

 

By doing so, it is said that the energy balance becomes almost 1.

 

From this alone, it means there is no meaning in implementing nuclear power. 

 

Further, by adding the considerable amount of energy consumed over a long period 

 

of time for such things as processing radioactive waste, no matter how 

 

optimistically you look at it, the energy balance will become less than one. 

 

Professor Takeshi Murota, a mathematical economist, also calculated nearly the 

 

same results.

 

From these results, we can say that nuclear power generation makes no sense at 

 

all for power generation. Rather, nuclear power generation does not save on 

 

petroleum and is a big wasteful use of petroleum.

 

In short, the truth is that nuclear power is first of all, extremely dangerous, 

 

incurs a high cost, and also does not save on petroleum.

 

 

Can we get by without nuclear power?

 

There is another point to consider. It is often questioned, “Can we get by 

 

without nuclear power?” Certainly, if there is a shortage of electricity, it 

 

would cause hindrances including in daily life, industrial and economic 

 

activities, and all activities related to subsistence, so we can say it is a 

 

very big issue. Accordingly, now, many people are saying, “Without nuclear 

 

power, there will be an electricity shortage”, and they are using this as a 

 

major grounds for continuing or promoting nuclear power.

 

Is this really true? Let us look at the actual figures. Dr. Hiroaki Koide of the 

 

Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute has pointed out that in Japan 

 

overall, thermal power generation is operating at 50% capacity, and hydraulic 

 

power generation is at 19% capacity. Thus, if the operating rates of thermal and 

 

hydraulic power generation were increased, there would be a sufficient surplus 

 

in power generation capacity even without operating nuclear plants. 

 

In fact, the total of thermal and hydraulic power generation capacity is 170 

 

million KW. Except for the few hours in the afternoon in mid-summer, with the 

 

sum of thermal power and hydraulic power, the electricity demand can be covered 

 

even without nuclear power. The highest electricity consumption on record so far 

 

in Japan is 182 million KW, and that exceeds the sum of thermal and hydraulic 

 

power generation by 12 million KW.

 

There would be a slight electricity shortfall only in the period of a few hours 

 

when air conditioners are used in summer and electricity consumption peaks. 

 

Therefore, by taking effective measures to suppress the overall amount of 

 

electricity used in this peak time, it is fully possible to abandon nuclear 

 

power. 

 

To suppress the overall amount of electricity used during the peak time, 

 

suppress the electricity consumed by air conditioners by setting the air 

 

conditioner temperature just a little higher. As an alternative, to suppress the 

 

electricity consumption during peak times in places such as factories, 

 

production adjustments can be made such as staggering the operating times for 

 

the various types of equipment. Furthermore, measures, such as setting the 

 

electricity rates for peak times higher, as in France, are fully effective for 

 

suppressing the overall amount of electricity used. In short, we can survive 

 

sufficiently well without nuclear power. 

 

 

Let us consider this by referring to a more concrete example.

 

At present, the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant has been suspended, that is, 

 

operations have stopped. According to the “Electrical Power Supply Plan” for 

 

the year 2011 in the Chubu Electric Power Company home page, the generation 

 

reserve margin was 2.95 million KW for the year 2010. In mid-summer last year, 

 

which was a heat wave, only reactors 3 and 4 at Hamaoka were operating, and they 

 

had a total supply capacity of 2.237 million kW. 

 

That means if reactors 3 and 4 at Hamaoka had not been operating, 2,950,000 - 

 

2,237,000 = 713,000 kW would have been left in the generation reserve margin.

 

In addition, the generation reserve margin this year was 4,390,000 kW. Chubu 

 

Electric Power Company itself has forecast that even if the Hamaoka nuclear 

 

plant were completely stopped, which is a reduction of 3,617,000 kW, more than 

 

773,000 kW would be left. Even without nuclear power, other types of power 

 

generation such as thermal and hydraulic power generation will suffice.

 

In addition, the following article appeared in the June 12, 2011 Asahi Newspaper 

 

with the title, “Summer electricity demand, and securing supply capacity. Tokyo 

 

Electric Power Company moves toward restarting the Hirono Power Plant”.

 

“All five of the reactors (total output power 3.8 million kW) at the Hirono 

 

Thermal Power Plant (Hirono Town, Fukushima Prefecture) of Tokyo Electric Power 

 

Company that had stopped operations after being damaged by the tsunami in the 

 

Great East Japan Earthquake, are expected to be able to restart operations in 

 

the middle of July. Therefore, the probability has increased that Tokyo Electric 

 

Power Company will be able to secure power supply exceeding the forecasted 

 

highest demand this summer of 55 million kW. (omission of middle part)

 

If the Hirono Thermal Power Plant starts up, it will become possible to add more 

 

power with the pumping-up hydroelectric power plant that draws up water with the 

 

leftover electricity at night.” 

 

In short, it is an article saying that even in the Tokyo Electric Power Company 

 

district, they can likely manage without nuclear power this summer. Therefore, 

 

for example, if everyone sets the air conditioner temperature about 1 degree 

 

higher, it would easily save on about one nuclear reactor’s worth of 

 

electricity. So including businesses, if we make a point to conserve electricity 

 

in our work and daily life, it is fully possible to avoid a shortage of 

 

electricity without forcing people to endure great hardship.

 

In other words, from now, we need to change and correct the way we had been 

 

squandering electricity like water, and endeavor to conserve electricity as much 

 

as possible. By doing so, and by using only thermal power, hydraulic power, or 

 

natural energy sources, we can make do even without nuclear power. This can be 

 

done without lowering the present level of our daily lives or work efficiency of 

 

businesses, and without raising production costs.

 

These past several decades, the government has promoted nuclear power as a 

 

national policy. For this reason, along with thermal power, nuclear power has 

 

become one of the two large pillars for generating electricity. In other words, 

 

even though we could have sufficiently met the electricity demands from the 

 

beginning with methods other than nuclear power, such as thermal power, as the 

 

main source for generating electricity, nuclear power has been firmly 

 

incorporated into our daily electricity generation system as a national policy, 

 

and this structure has left our lives, economic activities and other areas 

 

dependent on nuclear power.

 

As a consequence, if we were to suddenly abolish all nuclear power now, 

 

realistically, adjustments could not be made in time, and in some regions, there 

 

may be temporary electricity shortages. In this sense, it is certain that how to 

 

get by through periods of potential electricity shortages is a major issue, and 

 

we must deal with this carefully. 

 

 

The potential for a catastrophe from factors such as a terrorist attack

 

The accident this time arose from an earthquake and tsunami, but there is 

 

something else we must consider.

 

It has not been mentioned often, but in fact, there is a very strong possibility 

 

that if a nuclear power plant were struck in an airplane crash, missile attack 

 

or terrorist attack, a catastrophe would occur. 

 

Based on the principle or structure of a nuclear power plant, it would not be 

 

possible to prevent a catastrophe if a nuclear plant were struck in an airplane 

 

crash or military attack. 

 

In short, nuclear power plants were not designed and built assuming a military 

 

attack or plane crash. The structures were designed and built on the premise 

 

that they would be operating during a so-called “era of peace” in which there 

 

is no war or terrorism. 

 

In the case of Japan, there are 54 nuclear reactors, and they are located along 

 

the coastline almost all across the country. If there were a country that 

 

planned to attack Japan, this would be exactly the same as setting nuclear bombs 

 

throughout the country.

 

If a nuclear plant were struck by an airplane, missile, or another form of 

 

terrorism, it would be the same as having dropped several nuclear bombs on 

 

Japan. If so, Japan would virtually be annihilated, and there would be no longer 

 

any place where humans could live in Japan. This would be an extremely terrible 

 

situation.

 

In this sense, as long as Japan has nuclear power plants, no matter how much the 

 

military power is strengthened, it would be impossible to prevent attacks from 

 

other countries against nuclear plants. This may be black humor, but it means 

 

that if Japan continues to maintain nuclear power plants from now also, there is 

 

no way for Japan to survive except by completely abolishing all military forces 

 

and aspiring toward becoming an absolutely peaceful, friendly country that would 

 

never be attacked by other countries.

 

Incidentally, Western countries have conducted research and implemented training 

 

assuming a terrorist attack on a nuclear plant. In 1981, a nuclear reactor in 

 

Iraq was actually bombed by Israel. 

 

(Supplementary note: According to the Asahi Newspaper of July 31, 2011, prompted 

 

by the bombing incident of the nuclear reactor in Iraq, the Ministry of Foreign 

 

Affairs started damage prediction research in absolute secrecy for the case of 

 

an attack on a domestic nuclear plant. In 1984, findings were submitted stating 

 

that an attack on a nuclear plant would cause enormous damage. Nevertheless, it 

 

was not made public for fear of expanding the anti-nuclear power movement.)

 

 

We have been deceived about everything

 

Now, I would like to summarize the various things that we have considered up to 

 

this point. In a word, perhaps we have been deceived about everything after all. 

 

With the catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear plant this time, not only has it 

 

been proven by actual fact that nuclear plants, which the electric power 

 

companies and government have been saying are absolutely safe until now, are 

 

extremely dangerous, but also, all of the factors that have been considered as 

 

advantages and grounds for promoting nuclear power were in fact disadvantages.

 

What does this mean? To put it simply, from the beginning, there was absolutely 

 

no meaning in implementing nuclear power. With nuclear power, we, the general 

 

public, only suffer major losses, and nuclear power is extremely dangerous. 

 

Perhaps this has become clear to many people through the nuclear plant accident 

 

at Fukushima.

 

As I mentioned earlier, one more very important point here is that from several 

 

decades ago, concerned people have been warning repeatedly about these facts.

 

At the same time, it means there was the influence of electric power companies, 

 

government, bureaucrats, politicians, the financial world, scholars who wanted 

 

research funds, and media under the government’s thumb, that sealed off the 

 

voices of these warnings. In addition, many of us have lived either believing 

 

unconditionally the words of people in high positions, such as people in the 

 

government and electric companies, or pretending not to see even while doubting, 

 

or being completely apathetic to these matters. Perhaps it can be said that a 

 

combination of these led to the catastrophe this time. 

 

Ignorance, apathy, leaving matters to others, and giving up are the fundamental 

 

causes

 

In short, what I want to say is that, here and now, we ought to properly reflect 

 

on our own attitude in life, and not try to settle this problem only by one-

 

sidedly criticizing the electric power companies or government.

 

For example, although it is pathetic, until the nuclear accident in Fukushima, 

 

many people did not know that there are 54 reactors in Japan. In addition, we 

 

can hear the voices of many people who say that because of this accident, for 

 

the first time, they realized that nuclear power is dangerous. 

 

Regarding nuclear power, it is clear that the government, electric power 

 

companies, and others were to blame, but at the same time, we have been 

 

deficient in many ways. Consequently, the outcome is that we have been 

 

supporting these kinds of electric power companies, the government, and others. 

 

If we do not properly reflect on this fact, we cannot create a peaceful and 

 

happy Japan in the true sense from now. Taking the nuclear power issue as one 

 

example, I feel that without proper self-reflection, the decisions may go awry 

 

depending on the situation from now. Further, in other serious societal issues 

 

besides nuclear power, such as the issue of revising the constitution of Japan, 

 

the possibility of choosing the wrong path may result. So in this sense too, it 

 

can be said that we are standing at a major crossroad or critical turning point 

 

now.

 

To put it another way, I feel that now of all times, we must make this an 

 

opportunity to create a country of Japan that is truly peaceful and where 

 

everyone is happy. We must put forth all our effort to recover from this 

 

difficult situation as quickly as possible. At the same time, we must 

 

investigate the fundamental cause that triggered this difficult situation, so 

 

that not only the nuclear power accident, but this kind of tragedy never occurs 

 

again, and implement a thorough fundamental treatment in our way of living as 

 

individuals, in addition to the government and society’s way of being. 

 

 

“O-kami-shinko” (blind faith in the government) is no good

 

Let us consider a little further about these matters. As a general trend, 

 

Japanese people tend to have “o-kami-shinko” (blind faith in the government). 

 

The Japanese people, for no reason at all, tend to accept without questioning 

 

what people “above” say, such as people in high positions in the government, 

 

university professors, or a president of a large company.

 

Of course, regarding politicians, for example, we hear conversations of 

 

complaints about the present prime minister. However, overall, although it is 

 

odd to say “above” when there is truly no above or below, the nature of 

 

Japanese people is that there is a tendency to accept without questioning what 

 

is told to them from “a person above”. Regarding the nuclear power problem, 

 

perhaps this is one of the fundamental causes on our side.

 

From another perspective, we do not attempt to know the details, or rather, know 

 

accurately. This is apathy, which is saying that the matter is something for 

 

people in high positions to consider and is irrelevant to me. It is also leaving 

 

matters to others to do, and saying it is not something I can do. Ignorance 

 

comes from this apathy. I may sound like I am talking patronizingly, but this 

 

time, I myself cannot say that I do not have this tendency.

 

Another point is “giving up”. Perhaps an extremely large number of people feel 

 

somewhere in their heart, “ultimately, that kind of thing can’t be helped”. 

 

It is a sense of giving up and saying, “even if each of us raises our voice, 

 

ultimately, it can’t be helped”.

 

Ignorance, apathy, leaving matters to others, and giving up. These are the 

 

biggest causes of the Fukushima nuclear accident. Would it be going too far to 

 

say that before reproaching the attitude of the electric power companies or 

 

government, we ourselves, each one of us, must reflect on ourselves?

 

After saying this now, I, myself do not think this statement is going too far, 

 

but I feel deeply anew that this “ignorance, apathy, leaving matters to others, 

 

and giving up” of all things are the fundamental causes of the catastrophe at 

 

the Fukushima nuclear plant. 

 

In other words, in general, each one of us is lacking the proper recognition 

 

that “this society, this country and the world are ours”. For this reason, we 

 

ourselves were lacking the awareness that “we are to create this society, this 

 

country, and this world with our hands”. Regarding the country, does it not 

 

mean, “a clear vision of what kind of Japan we are going to create in the 

 

future, and a true ideal that anyone can accept, has not been set forth in the 

 

country of Japan”? 

 

 

There are still many who are in favor of nuclear power

 

From what I have discussed until now, I think you have understood that with a 

 

little investigation, anyone can understand matters such as “nuclear power is 

 

far from being cheap”.

 

There are people who think as follows. “Nuclear power and radiation are scary 

 

for some reason. An accident actually occurred. Therefore, I am opposed to 

 

nuclear power.” Nevertheless, by actually talking with people, I found that 

 

there are many people around me who actually support and promote nuclear power. 

 

I feel that there are still only a small number of people who absolutely oppose 

 

nuclear power no matter the circumstances; that is, these people feel that we 

 

will create a society free of nuclear power from now. In questionnaires by 

 

newspapers and other sources, it seems that 70% oppose nuclear power now, but by 

 

talking with people in actual daily life, it seems maybe about one quarter of 

 

the people would abandon nuclear power no matter the circumstances. 

 

It seems that the remaining three quarters now feel that it would be better not 

 

to have nuclear power. However, it appears they think that if there would be an 

 

electricity shortage without nuclear power, or if it would unfavorably influence 

 

their work, or if economic growth could not be maintained, maybe continuing 

 

nuclear power is unavoidable. In other words, I think there are a fair number of 

 

people who feel strongly against nuclear power now, but would switch to 

 

continuing or promoting nuclear power depending on the circumstances. 

 

This means that assuming one quarter of the people say they absolutely oppose 

 

nuclear power no matter the circumstances, if the remaining three quarters 

 

support nuclear power depending on the situation, nuclear power will continue 

 

nonetheless.

 

Probably, there are electric power companies, government-related people and 

 

bureaucrats who would gain by continuing or promoting nuclear power, and they 

 

have united and promoted nuclear power, but I believe the number of these people 

 

is about 1% of the total population or less. 

 

The remaining 99% is the general population. So, if we, the general population, 

 

just clearly understand that nuclear power truly makes no sense, has no 

 

advantages, and of course, does not even save on petroleum, nor reduce carbon 

 

dioxide emissions, and on top of that, is tremendously dangerous, it will be 

 

possible to abolish nuclear power permanently. 

 

 

Not even one advantage to nuclear power

 

This is an important topic, so I will go over it again. Many people think there 

 

are advantages and disadvantages to nuclear power. In addition, they try to 

 

decide whether to support or oppose nuclear power by weighing the advantages and 

 

disadvantages on a balance, and seeing which is heavier.

 

Of the disadvantages, the biggest factor is the fact that nuclear power is 

 

excessively dangerous. Assuming nuclear power has some advantages, even so, the 

 

disadvantage of being excessively dangerous far outweighs all of the advantages 

 

combined, and I, myself, feel that nuclear power should be abolished 

 

immediately. 

 

Yet, here is a problem of a difference in sense of values. For example, some 

 

people say as follows. Economic growth is more important than anything else. 

 

Electricity is needed for economic growth. Even if nuclear power is dangerous, 

 

it is necessary for supplying electricity. 

 

In other words, it is the theory that nuclear power is necessary for the sake of 

 

economic growth, even if there is a dangerous aspect of nuclear power. Perhaps 

 

the words, “economic growth” could be replaced by, “maintaining the present 

 

lifestyle”, “continuing the present work”, or “securing and maintaining the 

 

present income”.

 

It would mean that support or opposition to nuclear power would depend on each 

 

person’s sense of values, and further, a person’s way of thinking would change 

 

according to the social conditions of the time. Under such circumstances, it is 

 

only natural that a clear conclusion could never be reached. Furthermore, even 

 

if a conclusion were forcibly drawn, if the conclusion were mistaken, it would 

 

mean leaving problems in the future. 

 

However, what I have described so far is, “The fact is that there is absolutely 

 

no advantage to nuclear power.” If you investigate the actual situation 

 

regarding all of the factors that were said to be advantages, there is nothing 

 

that can be called an advantage peculiar to nuclear power, and instead, they are 

 

disadvantages.

 

In this way, if it becomes clear that there are absolutely no advantages to 

 

nuclear power, what remains is only the disadvantage that nuclear power is 

 

excessively dangerous. That means, no matter what, nuclear power ought to be 

 

abolished as soon as possible and permanently.

 

 

Just understanding is not enough

 

I think you have already agreed with what I have discussed so far. However, by 

 

that only, nothing will change. 

 

Some people comment as follows. “I read books on nuclear power. I also looked 

 

at some websites. I went to listen to some lectures. I see now that nuclear 

 

power is dangerous. There are no advantages to nuclear power. I understand very 

 

well that there is no meaning in implementing nuclear power. Therefore, I oppose 

 

nuclear power.” Perhaps, we can say this is some progress, but I think that 

 

with this only, it will not be possible to immediately and permanently abolish 

 

all nuclear power.

 

In other words, nothing will change if a person just says, "I oppose nuclear 

 

power", and does nothing more. This has been proven by many examples in history. 

 

To put it simply, it means, "Peace will not become reality by only praying". 

 

Toward bringing to reality true peace, I feel that by boldly conveying one’s 

 

thoughts to others through certain and concrete methods, we must increase the 

 

number of people who agree. In short, perhaps the most important lesson we ought 

 

to learn from the nuclear power plant accident is that unless each one of us 

 

becomes "a person who truly takes action", nothing will change in this society. 

 

 

Increase your ability to convey to others

 

For this purpose, first, each one of us must understand properly as a fact and 

 

theoretically, "Why it is necessary to abolish all nuclear power immediately". 

 

Next, it is necessary to develop the ability to properly explain this to others 

 

with reliable theory and facts. In addition, I feel we must find opportunities 

 

and boldly convey this truth to others. 

 

For this, developing your abilities by assertively reading relevant books and 

 

websites, and participating in lectures and study groups is very effective. In 

 

addition, introducing good books and websites to acquaintances and inviting them 

 

to lectures and study groups are effective methods.

 

For example, how would you reply to opinions such as the following? "Nuclear 

 

power is necessary to continue economic growth". "With natural energy, power 

 

generation is unstable and the efficiency is not good, so it will not substitute 

 

for nuclear power that is stable and is efficient in power generation." "With 

 

just one gram of uranium, nuclear power generation can produce the energy of two 

 

tons of petroleum. Nuclear power is far more efficient".

 

Regarding the first opinion, "Nuclear power is necessary to continue economic 

 

growth", as I already explained, you can present figures that have been reported 

 

and say, "Even without nuclear power, thermal and hydraulic power generation are 

 

sufficient". 

 

Regarding the second opinion, ""With natural energy, power generation is 

 

unstable, and the efficiency is not good, so it will not substitute for nuclear 

 

power that is stable and is efficient in power generation", certainly, at the 

 

present stage, it is a fact that power generation with natural energy is 

 

unstable, and the efficiency is not high. 

 

For spreading and expanding natural energy power generation, it is hoped that 

 

from now, power generation efficiency will be increased by major technological 

 

innovations, and at the same time, stability and control technology will improve 

 

through computer technology such as "smart grid". By doing so, power generation 

 

by natural energy will become increasingly important as a promising power 

 

generation method in the future.

 

In addition, the efficiency of power generation with nuclear power is certainly 

 

not high compared to thermal power and hydraulic power. From this aspect also, 

 

thermal power, hydraulic power, and natural energy can sufficiently supply the 

 

required electrical power.

 

Regarding the third opinion, "With just one gram of uranium, nuclear power 

 

generation can produce the energy of two tons of petroleum. Nuclear power is far 

 

more efficient", by thinking about this just a little, people might think, 

 

"That's amazing". However, this is a numerical trick. 

 

Indeed, it is amazing that with just one gram of uranium, the energy of two tons 

 

of petroleum will be output. However, the refined one-gram of uranium does not 

 

exist in that form from the beginning. By digging deep into the earth, soil- or 

 

rock-containing uranium is extracted. Of this extracted soil or rock, only a 

 

small portion contains uranium, and of that uranium, only 0.07% is uranium-235, 

 

which is used in nuclear power.

 

This means that we are only saying that the final one-gram of uranium, which was 

 

produced by repeatedly concentrating the uranium from the first stage where it 

 

was contained in soil or rock, is equivalent to the energy of two tons of 

 

petroleum. Therefore, from the initial condition of being in the soil or rock 

 

deep underground, by no means does crude uranium have so much power compared to 

 

petroleum. 

 

There is no doubt that concentrated and refined uranium has tremendous energy. 

 

However, to refine and concentrate uranium to that extent requires an enormous 

 

amount petroleum or electricity produced from petroleum.

 

By verifying the facts one by one, as above, it is possible to disprove with 

 

certainty the basis upon which various people say that nuclear power is 

 

necessary and to persuade them.

 

 

Convey to others with certainty

 

In this way, each person conveys with certainty to others regarding the truth 

 

about nuclear power. Convey with certainty to 5, 10 or even 100 people. Those 

 

people to whom the information was conveyed also convey to 5, 10 or 100 people. 

 

I feel that if this chain reaction does not reach the final goal, it will not be 

 

possible to truly abolish nuclear power, of course, nor to bring to reality a 

 

society of true peace where everyone is happy.

 

I feel that the fact that each one of us could not do so until now, is the 

 

biggest cause of making Japan a country that would bring about the catastrophe 

 

at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In this sense, perhaps serious 

 

consideration of "What is true happiness?" and "becoming a person who takes 

 

action in earnest" are the things most needed from each one of us now.

(to be continued)

 

Monday, August 1, 2011

 

 

Are Humans the “Most Superior in All of Creation”? 

 

Two life-shaping experiences

One day, after a certain occurrence at age 10, I was struck by the thought, “Why are there poor people in this world? There is definitely something wrong with this world.” Then, at age 14, I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Atomic Bomb Memorial) during a school field trip. The entire time while I looked at the many exhibits, I could not stop my body from shuddering. It was not from fear or anger, but simply from the strong feeling, “Humans are so foolish. There is definitely something wrong with this kind of world.”

 

The memory of these two life-shaping experiences continued to reside deep in my heart. Then, at age 22, I learned of the booklet, “With Everyone, Raise an Ideal for the Country” [“Minna de Kuni no Riso o”] by Shigemasa Wada, who originally made this proposal. After reading this booklet, I had a firm conviction, “This is the certain path where people will become happy and every country and the world will be saved.” I had found the answer to the questions that I had from childhood. I was truly moved from the depths of my heart.

 

In addition, I felt that my life mission was to convey this idea to the people all over the world. The fruit of 40 years of contemplation and actual practice was the book, “A Country’s Ideal and the Constitution?‘The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment’” (in Japanese) [“Kuni no Riso to Kenpo?‘Kokusai Kankyo Heiwa Kokka e no Michi’”] and the English translation, “Beyond National Egoism? The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment”.

 

Through an Infinite Relay of Life

In the 14 billion year history of the universe, the first primitive single-celled organisms appeared on the earth 3.5 billion years ago, and the evolution of living organisms began from here. Since then, evolution has continued and the various plants and animals emerged. Three million years ago, apes, or the first humans, appeared and the history of human evolution began. Then, 40,000 years ago, humans in our present form were born, and we arrive at the present-day humans, ourselves, of today.

 

From the first living organisms that emerged 3.5 billion years ago to each of us of living today, “life” has been passed on like a baton in a relay from one generation to the next. One can say this passing of the baton has occurred virtually an infinite number of times. This means that if even one link in this “chain of life” had been broken, you and I would not exist in this world. From this fact, it can be said that the life of each person and all living beings are irreplaceable. 

 

In addition, in this sense, each one of us, and all living beings on the earth are standing at the forefront of the history of living beings. It is often said, “Humans are the most superior in all of creation.” Does this mean that among animals, humans are the most outstanding existences? Certainly, humans can make full use of a developed brain that other animals do not have, and humans have developed a shining technological civilization and material civilization. As a result, humans have overpowered other animals and are enjoying prosperity on this earth. 

 

Are humans crazy apes?

However, at least since recorded history up until now, we humans have continued to massacre fellow humans on a large scale over and over again. In addition, we humans are discriminating against and abusing fellow humans. Furthermore, now, we put poison in our food and drinking water, pollute the air we breathe, and are destroying the world in which we live. In this kind of world, individually and as a society, many people bear a sense of insecurity and are suffering in life. There is definitely something wrong with this kind of world. With things as they are, it can hardly be said, “Humans are the most superior in all of creation.” Then, are humans “crazy apes”?

 

We can definitely bring to reality peace

Are humans originally such foolish and powerless existences? I do not think so. We humans have committed many mistakes and caused ourselves and others to suffer. However, with our power, we certainly ought to be able to correct the mistakes we have made. We humans can definitely attain not only our own happiness and peace in our hearts, but also resolve the many problems of society, and bring to reality world peace and the happiness of all humankind.

 

Perhaps the reasons why these have not been brought to reality until now are lack of interest, ignorance, and most of all, giving up. I am certain that if we firmly believe, “we can definitely bring this to reality,” and make clear the root cause of the mistaken ways, we definitely will be able to find the path to solving the problems. Isn’t that the point when we become existences that are worthy of the expression, “Humans are the most superior in all of creation”?

 

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Saturday, May 30, 2009

 

 

 

The Importance of Enlightenment 

               Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

 

Nothing is more important for us than “the importance of enlightenment.” This is because we ourselves are the ones who are living. What am I? What is this world in which I am living? Without truly knowing these, we are living only by our moods or thoughts.

 

Nothing is more foolish than not knowing truly about yourself, not knowing truly about life, and not living a true way of life, and it is a regrettable life. To grasp anew our true self and the true world, clearly and by experiencing (not with the head or intellect), is more important than all else. This is especially so in the present era in which our human society is rapidly headed toward a dead end.

 

Buddha became enlightened 2500 years ago. He keenly indicated that the source of all human suffering and chaos in society is ignorance, and that an absolute truth of existence is of being one and indivisible.

 

So, what is ignorance? Normally, we recognize, judge and think about things with our head (intellect). However, “thoughts” of our head are relative, separate things into “I” and “others,” and we mistakenly understand things as being separate existences.

 

Therefore, things we understand by our thoughts are only “false” things that we have interpreted in a way for our own convenience, and are not the “truth” as it is. Furthermore, the “self” we understand by “our relationship to others” through our thoughts is consequently merely the self that we have defined on our own, and is not the “true self” itself. By thoughts, we cannot grasp the true self and the absolute truth of existence of being one and indivisible.

 

In order to grasp the absolute truth of existence directly and not with the head, first, it is necessary to have a strong desire to attain this by experiencing, no matter what it takes. At the same time, it is vital to quiet down our thoughts of the head by proper meditation or “zazen” (sitting in silent meditation).

 

However, it is a fact that the wall of our thoughts is extremely thick and grasping the truth directly is very difficult. Speaking from experience, after running into a problem that cannot be solved with the head, struggling and struggling, and facing a complete dead end and desperate situation, suddenly, a consciousness beyond the head (thoughts) takes effect and you can grasp directly the absolute truth of existence of everything being one and indivisible.

 

The “Seminar of Life,” which I supervise, is based on this principle. So far, many participants have awakened to their true self and the true world in the short period of one week.

 

In any case, we must make this our top priority theme anew?

What am “I who exists” and not merely “I who lives daily life.”

 

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

 

 

Striving toward creating a nation in an exciting way 

              Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

 

Striving toward creating a nation in an exciting way?

Let us raise an ideal for Japan together

 

Modern-day Japan is facing a serious dead end in areas such as politics, the economy, education and social welfare. Further, globally, due to factors such as environmental destruction and wars, our human society is facing history’s worst crisis. In order to overcome this crisis from the root level, we need to create a completely different flow from the ones of the past. I feel that the key is in the present Constitution of Japan.

 

Including Japan, the main cause or culprit of this worst dead end of human society is conflicts of national egoism that says, “As long as it is in my country’s best interests.” These conflicts of national egoism cause wars, promote development of science and technology, promote competition among businesses, and create problems such as with the environment, poverty, and famine.

 

According to the Preamble of the present Constitution of Japan, Japan will make all out efforts to contribute to solving the many serious problems of the world by peaceful means. It proclaims strongly that this is how the country will secure its survival. This means Japan renounces national egoism by its own will unilaterally. In addition, Article 9 calls for renouncing all types of war including war for self-defense and abolishment of military.

 

I published the book, “Kuni no Riso to Kenpo” (“A Country’s Ideal and the Constitution”, original in Japanese and published in English as “Beyond National Egoism?The Road to an Nation for International Peace and the Environment” last year. In this book, I presented the following proposal:

 

In the midst of the dead end situation of the world, let us truly revive Japan. Further, in order to take initiative toward overcoming the critical situation of the world from the root level, let us more assertively bring to life the spirit of peace of the present Constitution of Japan, and let us raise a new ideal in Japan, ‘to aspire for a nation for international peace and the environment.’

 

In recent years, Japan has seen political turmoil and fallen into its worst ever recession. During this time, people have gotten the impression that the issue of revising the constitution has disappeared. However, considering that on May 18, 2010, the National Referendum law will come into force, it can be anticipated that before long, the movement to revise the constitution will become very active again. Now, especially since we are in this kind of period, we must think about this very seriously.

 

 

 

 

“Beyond National Egoism?The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment

 

Shohei Nomura

Mamizu Shuppan Publishing

 

Contents

 

I. The Constitutional Debate That Will Determine Japan's Future 

 

Chapter 1 Can We Protect the Peace Without Military Force? 

Chapter 2 Arguments for and against Constitutional Revision 

 

II. Know the Present State of the Global Environment and Human Society 

 

Chapter 1 Know the Present State of the Environmental Problems 

Chapter 2 Population, Food Supply, Water, Energy, and Nuclear Power Problems

Chapter 3 Considering Conflicts and Wars of the 21st Century 

 

III. How Can We Overcome This Crisis?

 

Chapter 1 What Is the Fundamental Cause of the Crisis Situation? 

Chapter 2 Considering the Future of This Nation

Chapter 3 Overcoming National Egoism 

 

Proposal for the Japanese People

─Everyone, Let Us Raise an Ideal for the Nation 

─Now, What Should I Do? 

Proposal─For the People All Over the World

 

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