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At a plenary meeting

At a plenary meeting on October 22nd, Teppei Dohke(Japan Civil Network for CBD) and Ramya Rajagopalan(The International Collective in Support of Fishworkers) read a statement on behalf of civil society. It refered to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kaminoseki.

"Dear delegates, we want to take the opportunity to highlight an unfolding tragedy. Just days before the opening of this COP, work began on the construction of a Nuclear power plant in Kaminoseki, a coastal area in West Japan. The plant will have a devastating effect on the lives of the communities and on the marine environment."

movie of press conference

Our statement in the International Herald Tribune


Summary of press conference

Summary of content of press conference held at COP10 in Nagoya
19 October 16:30~17:00 (International Conference Room)
(For more information see contact list at bottom of this brief.)


“A Nuclear Plant in Japanese Biodiversity Hotspot?!”

While the CBD negotiations are in progress in Nagoya, the Japanese government is supporting a Japanese electric utility to proceed with reclaiming one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in Japan, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture facing Japan’s Inland Sea.

According to Isao NISHIUMI, vice-president of the Ornithological Society of Japan, the Kaminoseki area in question is habitat to endangered species found only in Japan. He stated that the Ecological Society of Japan, the Ornithological Society of Japan, and the Benthos Society of Japan have jointly submitted over 10 statements petitioning the Japanese government and Chugoku Electric (the utility planning to build the nuclear power plant), demanding that the environmental assessment be redone. However, to date, their appeals have been ignored.

Nishiumi stated at the press conference today, “The Japanese government, as host country of the COP10 Convention on Biological Diversity is appealing to nations worldwide to protect sea grass and corals, and other habitat of shallow coastal marine areas. At the same time, it is attempting to destroy that very habitat in Japan. I protest this action of the Japanese government.”

Nishiumi reported that this area is the habitat for three species of birds: the Japanese Japanese murrelet, streaked shearwater, and Japanese wood pigeon. These three species are endemic only to Japan, virtually non-existent elsewhere. They have all been designated as endangered species. Nishiumi states, “If Japan does not protect them and the other endangered marine species located in the Kaminoseki area, they will be destroyed.”

Midori TAKASHIMA, Director of the Association for the Preservation of Nagashima’s Nature, the conservation organization working in the Kaminoseki area explained that this area is considered a biodiversity hot spot, and there are internationally recognized endangered species where the landfill is about to take place. The area is habitat for the Sunameri (Finless Porpoise), the smallest whale in the world, which is listed as an endangered species under the Washington Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The Kaminoseki area is the only area where the Sunameri has not only maintained its numbers but rears its young. For more information concerning the issues raised by the Association for the Preservation of Nagashima’s Nature see:
http://www.cnic.jp/english/topics/groups/group84.html

Another spokesperson at the press conference was Masae YUASA who reported that 294 organizations issued an international joint statement today to delegates of COP 10 concerning this issue. For more details please see:
http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~nnaf/106e.htm

The final spokesperson was Masako SAKATA from Tokyo, Director of Save Mt. Takao Kenju Association. She explained that citizen organizations across the Japanese nation were concerned about the protection of the Kaminoseki area and potential destruction of it by reclamation work for a nuclear power plant. She reported on a hunger strike that is underway by young people who have gathered from all parts of Japan who have travelled from Kaminoseki to the COP10 conference and were present at the press conference.

Masako Sakata stated, “The Japanese people have great expectations for COP 10. If Japan, the host country supports the destruction of one of the most important biodiversity hot spots in Japan while COP10 (Convention on Biological Diversity) is underway, I fear that this guts the credibility of the entire process. Japan can only regain its credibility if it stops this destruction.”


Today, the main vessel headed for reclamation work at the Kaminoseki site round aground and was damaged, thus delaying start of reclamation work for an unknown length of time.

This English summary compiled by Aileen Mioko Smith
Contact: 090-3620-9251 (Kyoto, Japan) amsmith@gol.com

Press conference speakers:
A Nuclear Plant in Biodiversity Hotspot?!
Date/time: 16:30, Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Venue: International Conference Room, 3rd Floor

●Host: Akio Kohchi(Japan Civil Network for Convention on Biological Diversity(JCN-CBD)Member of Steering Committee) info@cbd-j.net 

●Midori Takashima(The Association for the Conservation of Nagashima Island) midori.t@crocus.ocn.ne.jp
Isao Nishiumi(Vice President, The Ornithological Society of Japan) nihon-chogakkai@lagopus.com

●Masae Yuasa (Director,, Hiroshima-Kaminoseki Link) yuasa@intl.hiroshima-cu.ac.jp

●Masako Sakata(Director, Save Mt. Takao Kenju Association) kenju_sakata@yahoo.co.jp

International Joint Statement

We are preparing an international joint statement for a press conference on 19th October at the COP10 venue in Nagoya. This statement is being issued by various international organisations, in solidarity with Hiroshima-Kaminoseki Link, including Réseau "SORTIR DU NUCLEAIRE" (France), People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (India), Pacific Environment (USA) and Australian Greens. For a full list of organisations, please see below the statement.

=======
International Joint Statement to the Delegates for the COP 10 in solidarity with Hiroshima-Kaminoseki Link

BIODIVERSITY is Endangered by a Proposed Nuclear Plant Near Hiroshima. Please put it high on the agenda at the COP10 in Japan.

The Chugoku Electric Power Company, based in Hiroshima, is trying to construct a nuclear plant at Kaminoseki in the Seto Inland Sea National Park, a BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT.

This project can irrevocably damage the pristine environment for life by
: replacing sea water with LANDFILL
: RAISING sea water TEMPERATURE
: risking devastating EARTHQUAKES (concentrated active faults around the site)

We are also concerned about radioactive contamination and internal
RADIATION exposure from low dose radiation release.
We urge you to make Kaminoseki an issue in the conference, and put pressure
on the Japanese government to take serious measures for protecting the
biodiversity.

現在の賛同団体
●France 
Reseau "Sortir du nucleaire"  脱原発ネットワーク

●Australia
Australian Greens  オーストラリア緑の党
People for Nuclear Disarmament Nuclear Flashpoints Project 

●India
People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) インド反原発民衆運動
National Alliance of Anti-nuclear Movements (NAAM)  インド反核運動全国連合
Founder Member & Pres.WPND
World Peace & Nuclear Disarmament/new Delhi

●Korea
Energy Justice Actions  韓国エネルギー正義行動
Korea Federation for Environmental Movements   韓国環境運動連合
Buan People's Power Plant for Renewable Energy  プアン市民発電所
Green Korea United  韓国緑色連合
No base stories of Korea  ノー・ベース・ストーリー

●Philippines
Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)  フィリピン民族民主運動
Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement-Network (NFBM-Net) 非核バターン運動ネットワーク

●Taiwan
Taiwan Environmental Protection Union  台湾環境保護連盟
Green Citizen's Action Alliance   台湾緑色公民行動連盟

●Thailand
Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability  持続可能エネルギー・プロジェクト

●USA
Nuclear Information and Resource Service  原子力情報資料サービス
Pacific Environment  太平洋環境
Nukewatch  ニュークウォッチ
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation  ニュークリア・エイジ・ピース・ファンデーション
Western North Carolina Physicians for Social Responsibility  社会的責任のための医師たち
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
The Nuclear Energy Information Service  核エネジー情報サービス
The Center for Biological Diversity of Chicago  生物多様性センター
The International Institute of Concern for Public Health
Footprints for Peace

●Pakistan
Citizens' alliance in reforms for equitable and efficient development(creed)  公平で効率的な開発のための改革市民連合

●Indonesia
MANUSIA (Indonesian Antinuclear Society)  インドネシア反核市民連合
Sarekat Hijau Indonesia (SHI-Indonesian Green Union)  インドネシア緑色連合

●Russia
Ecodefense  エコディフェンス

●Canada
Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility
Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium
International Institute of Concern for Public Health
Council of Canadians
Green Party
Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
Conservation Council of New Brunswick
Artists for Peace
Citizens For Renewable Energy
Bruce Peninsula Environment Group
Physicians for Global Survival

●Finland
Women Against Nuclear Power
Women for Peace

●Japan
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center  原子力資料情報室
No Nukes Asia Forum Japan  ノーニュークス・アジアフォーラム・ジャパン
Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs  原水爆禁止日本国民会議
Coalition of Niigata for Green and No MOX fuel  みどりと反プルサーマル新潟県連絡会
Association to Protect Northenmost Dugong  北限のジュゴンを見守る会
Citizens' Network for Ban on Depleted Uranium Weapons  劣化ウラン兵器禁止市民ネットワーク
No Nukes Plaza  たんぽぽ舎
earth child news  地球の子ども新聞
9LOVE
7Generations walk
PEACE LAND
Rokkashokaigi in Ueda  六ケ所会議inうえだ
Transition Hayama  トランジション葉山
Green Action  グリーン・アクション
Osaka Citizens against the Mihama, Oi and Takahama Nuclear Power Plants  美浜・大飯・高浜原発に反対する大阪の会
Peace Candle@Kamakura  ピースキャンドル@かまくら
Wetland Forum  ウエットランドフォーラム
Agenda Project  アジェンダ・プロジェクト
TransitionTown osaka  トランジションタウン大阪
Non-Electric joyful club  非電化わくわくくらぶ
motter's group weaving a better future  未来をつむぐ母の会
Greenpeace Japan  国際環境NGOグリーンピース・ジャパン
Home of MOMO  モモの家
Campain for Abolition of Depleted Uranium Japan  劣化ウラン廃絶キャンペーン
transition-town Nara-bon  トランジションタウン・奈良ぼん
kumamoto civic center  くまもと市民センター 
Takagi School  高木学校
Chernobyl & Japan's Futyure  チェルノブイリと日本の未来を考える会
Recycling group"KARINA"  リサイクルグループ・カリーナ
Workers of Hiroshima Kyoritsu Hospital  広島共立病院職員有志
A-Bomb victims of Hiroshima Medical Co-operation  広島医療生協原爆被害者の会
Hokuto Mirai Network  ほくと未来ネットワーク 
Okinawa ReefCheck and Research Group  沖縄リーフチェック研究会
Civic SOHO Soseisha  市民SOHO蒼生舎
Transition minamiaso  トランジション南阿蘇
Shimonoseki citizen communication magazine "Umi" Editing committee  下関の行動と言葉をつなぐ「海」編集委員会
Shimonoseki(Yamaguchi Pref.) East Timor Coalition  下関・東チモールの会
Shimonoseki G. for Kenyan Peace  ケニアの平和を祈る下関の会
Peace News  ピース・ニュース
Happy Island Iwaishima  はっぴーあいらんど祝島
Kamakura Citizens Forum  鎌倉市民フォーラム
Citizens for a study of the radioactive problems  放射能問題を考える会
Zushi・Hayama affiliate Group of spreading the screen "Honey Bees buzz sound and revolving motion of the earth"   「ミツバチの羽音と地球の回転」の上映を広める会 逗子・葉山支部
Yokosuka affiliate Group of spreading the screen "Honey Bees buzz sound and revolving motion of the earth"  「ミツバチの羽音と地球の回転」の上映を広める会 横須賀支部
enshu-transitiontown-hamamatsu  遠州トランジションタウン浜松
FARM+CAFE BIG FAMILY
watashi ni dekirukoto wo kanngaerukai(kashima)  私にできる事を考える会(鹿島)
Nagasaki djembeclub HOROYAKAN  長崎ジェンベクラブHOROYAKAN 
NO MOX KASHIMA
tiikituukayagota market  地域通貨ヤゴタマーケット 
yagotatushin  ヤゴタ通信
SAKURAI BLUES NOJO ORGANICFARM  櫻井BLUES農場
Voice of Hiroshima  ボイス・オブ・ヒロシマ
NO DU Hiroshima Project  NO DU ヒロシマ・プロジェクト
Envisioning a Sustainble Future  環境と人権の未来へ
Hiroshima Center for Nonviolence & Peace  岡本非暴力平和研究所
Meeting that thinks about Meguro mental health  目黒精神保健を考える会
Solidarity Cuba  キューバ連帯の会
Invalid Action of Anpo  安保無効確認訴訟の会
Meeting opposed war cooperation of medical treatment and welfare  医療・福祉の戦争協力に反対する会
Mice biting cat  窮鼠の会
Wind&wave  波風の会
The beauties   美人の会
Anger reach heaven  怒髪天を衝く会
Kumamori Assistance corps in Fukuoka  くまもり応援隊・福岡
Network of Religion Persons Considering Nuclear Policy  原子力行政を問い直す宗教者の会
Genpatu Kakunen tomeyoukai  原発・核燃とめようかい
Guide to THE EARTH from YMAGUCHI  あーす☆ガイド山口
Guide to THE EARTH from HOKKAIDO  あーす☆ガイド北海道
natural seeds  自然の種
The meeting for the sustainable life in KAMINOSEKI (BY the youth in YAMAGUCHI)  上関原発を考える山口若衆の会
EARTHDAY MIYAZAKI  アースデイ宮崎
Citizens against Fukushima Aging Nuclear Power Plants  福島老朽原発を考える会
Civilian association anxious about nuclear pollution in the air,the soil and the water  空と海の放射能汚染を心配する市民の会
Chofu congres against A snd Hbombs  原水禁の調布支部
KOTETSUYA3 
Peace Cycle Hiroshim  ピースサイクル・広島ネットワーク
Renewable-Hydrogen-Network  国際NGO・R水素ネットワーク
NO NUKES MORE HEARTS
Earthday Ishikawa  アースデイいしかわ
ippokoippo  いっぽこいっぽ
Satoyama Farm  咲とやま農園
Communication paper "YuruYuru"  ゆるゆる新聞
Earth Council Embassy - japan  地球政府大使館 日本支部
NO! to Nukes and Missile Defense Campaign  核とミサイル防衛にNO!キャンペーン
Nagoya Citizens for "No More Nanking"  <ノーモア南京>名古屋の会
Leeward to Prevent Genpatsu -Shinsai  原発震災を防ぐ風下の会(静岡)
No Nukes Consumers with TEPCO  東京電力と共に脱原発をめざす会(埼玉)
Citizens' Investigation committee for the Fukushima Nnclear Power Plant  福島原発市民事故調査委員会(静岡)
YUGO-NET  ユーゴーネット
Pacific Asia Resource Center(PARC)  特定非営利活動法人アジア太平洋資料センター(PARC)
No Helipad Residents Society of Takae  高江「ヘリパッドいらない」住民の会
yummy meal club  おいしいごはんの会
Crossroads Cafe Kamakura  岐れ路の会 
ClapHands!!(Okinawa)  クラップハンズ事務局(沖縄)
turnip organic store
forest hut shop
west residence
sprout woodwork atelier
OpenSesame Organic Deli +cafe  オープンセサミ オーガニックデリ+カフェ 
Datugennhijikouiinkai  脱原発の日実行委員会
Friends of Schumacher in Kansai   関西シューマッハ友の会
NPO Kamawa  NPO法人 かまわ
Kamakura affiliate Group of spreading the screen "Honey Bees buzz sound and revolving motion of the earth "  「ミツバチの羽音と地球の回転」の上映を広める会 鎌倉支部
Transition FUJINO  トランジション藤野
North east Asia Information Center  東北アジア情報センター  
SHIGA Diaper-Free Suport Group  滋賀おむつなし育児の会
RAKU ASSOCIATES  ラクアソシエイツ
SAPPORO QIGONG ASSOCIATION  札幌気功協会
Kenju no Kai  虔十の会
enishi@yamaguchi  えにし
NANA  ナナ
naradatugenpatu-net
Peace upon you  アッサラーム
Solidarity with the rage of Uchinanchu - Santama Citizen’s Association  うちなんちゅの怒りとともに!三多摩市民の会
TO FUTURE PRODUCTION  
New Internationalist Japan  ニュー・インターナショナリスト・ジャパン
Peace Building  ピース・ビルディング
League in Hino city for Human rights, the Environment and Peace  日野-人権・環境・平和の会
Actio  一般社団法人アクティオ
Food Policy Center Vision21  食政策センタービジョン21 
touyouriryouinn ikkyudoo  東洋理療院一休堂
NPO kamawa  NPOかまわ
SAPPOROKKASHO  サッポロッカショ
WITH EARTH  NPO地球とともに(宮城県石巻市)
Atelier for Development and Future  NPO法人懐かしい未来
Stop plutonium thermal use! Fukusima  STOP プルサーマル!ふくしま
IKATA People Against MOX  MOX反対伊方の会
PEACE NOT WAR JAPAN  
People Against Nukes Mie (PANM)  原発おことわり三重の会
The Sloth Club  ナマケモノ倶楽部
INDIA Buddagaya fair trade organization [nimai-nitai]   インド・ブッダガヤ フェアトレード事業『nimai-nitai』
SAYAN  空想民族音楽SAYAN
The association of showing Tokyo Nuclear power in Ube  東京原発を上映する宇部の会
The human rights and peace network in Ube  じんべいネット
Solidarity Union of Yamaguchi  全国一般労働組合全国協議会 山口連帯労働組合
Transition Sagamiko  トランジション相模湖
Stop Nuclear Waste Canpaign Kansai  核のごみキャンペーン関西
The "Know Pluthermal" Shiribeshi Citizens's Network  「プルサーマルを知ろう」後志住民ネットワーク
Greens Japan  みどりの未来
DAICHI wo MAMORUKAI  大地を守る会
The Association for Considering Forests, Water, and Earth  森と水と土を考える会
The space for the healing our body and soul  ヒーリングアーツ 蓮音(hasuoto)
Transition Town Kyoto  トランジション・タウン・京都
keikan shimin-net  景観市民ネット
Transitiontown Biwako (Biwatora)  トランジションタウンびわ湖(びわトラ)
natural food cafe [GOPAN]  自然派cafe「ごパン」
Ocean, Wind and Light's Society
No Nukes Network Machida  町田反原発ネットワーキング
TANABE kobo  田那部工房
IWAISHIMA-chakai atelier tebe @ KYOTO demachiyanagi  祝島茶会アトリエtebe@京都出町柳
EARTH PLANNING  アースプランニング
FROM EARTH  ふろむ・あーす
CAFE OHANA  カフェ・オハナ
mitubati meeting  みつばち茶会
sakurabito  株式会社桜人
GOON  五恩株式会社
TRANSITION TOWN SETAGAYA  トランジションタウン世田谷
a society of [EVER]  エヴァの会
NPO H-imagine  NPO法人 H-imagine
WINDFARM CO.,LTD  株式会社ウィンドファーム
NPO ecosystem  NPO法人エコシステム
a society of KUSANONE  草の根の会 
GREEN FIELD CO.,LTD  (有)グリーンフィールド
four leaves home delivery [KEIJI] CO.,LTD  (株)よつ葉ホームデリバリー京滋
miracle net work FUKUOKA  ミラクルネットワーク福岡
baby sign KITAKYUUSYUU  ベビーサイン北九州
a society of ecology [TANPOPO]  エコを楽しむ会「たんぽぽ」
The Japan Bear and Forest Association - YAMAGUTI Branch  日本熊森協会・山口県支部
gaiaplan 21  ガイアプラン21
the house of MUTENKA  無添加ハウス
Project Disagree, Okinawa  合意してないプロジェクト
Piece Walk Yamaguchi  ピースウォーク山口
Free Paper YUIWA  フリーペーパーゆいわ
The women's group fear nuclear power plants  原発がこわい女たちの会
Biodiversity Parade KANSAI  生物多様性パレードon御堂筋
Databank Project for Energy-Shift  エネルギーシフトを考えるデータバンク
Anshin-Mirai-Energy Project  あんしんエネルギー未来プロジェクト
Stop Nukewaste Campaign, Chubu  核のごみキャンペーン・中部
Jubilee Kansai Network  ジュビリー関西ネットワーク
ATTAC Kyoto  ATTAC京都
ODA Reform Network Kansai  ODA改革ネットワーク関西
Kansai Action Center on Philippine Human Rights Issues  関西フィリピン人権情報アクションセンター
Erga.INC
Solar Net
Rexta
Transition Shitamachi  トランジションしたまち
The Association for Considering Forests, Water, and Earth  森と水と土を考える会
armonica  アルモニカ
ZION  ザイオン
Wakayama City affiliate Wakayama Group screening "Honey Bees buzz sound and revolving motion of the earth"  『ミツバチの羽音と地球の回転』を上映する和歌山の会in和歌山市
North of Wkayama affiliate Wakayama Group screening "Honey Bees buzz sound and revolving motion of the earth"  「ミツバチの羽音と地球の回転」を上映する和歌山の会in紀北
NUCLEAR PHASE-OUT TEPCO SHAREHOLDER'S MOVEMENT  脱原発・東電株主運動
Soul Step Connection  あしおとでつながろう!プロジェクト
People's action against the Genkai Mox project  玄海原発プルサーマル裁判の会
Protection for the Sagas' future from the Mox project  プルサーマルと佐賀県の100年を考える会
100% Love&Peace Parade
Cafe & Restaurant of a Farm GOKURAKUYA  畑の食堂CAFE極楽屋
BE-IN tokyo
Peace Cycle network Japan  ピースサイクル全国ネットワーク
pan-setonaikai inlandsea congress  環瀬戸内海会議
environmental pollution issue society  公害問題研究会
Peace Philosophy Centre  ピース・フィロソフィー・センター


For a full and up-to-date list please see the Japanese website
http://ameblo.jp/nonukekaminoseki/

Iwai-shima Island - 28 years of protest

Around 4km across the sea from the proposed site of the plant lies Iwai-shima Island. This island has a population of about 500 people, most of whom live in the island's one settlement which faces the proposed site. Around 90% of the inhabitants are opposed to the plant, and have refused to accept the financial inducements offered by Chugoku Electric Company. Since 1983, shortly after the proposed nuclear power plant was announced, these people have staged protests every Monday. Their slogan is "We will not sell our sea for a nuclear power plant". They want to continue their traditional lifestyle which would be lost if the power plant were to be built. Most people on Iwai-shima have livelihoods based on fishing and small scale farming. Local produce includes sea bream, octopus, meburu rockfish, Japanese medlar (locquat) and various kinds of seaweed including agar and hijiki.

Inhabitants of Iwai-shima along with concerned citizens from neighbouring areas have been blocking land reclamation work by Chugoku Electric Company. At the time of writing the latest blockade was formed on 15th October, 2010. Local people aboard fishing boats and kayaks successfully prevented Chugoku Electric Company from carrying out any landfill work after a stand-off between the two sides.

For more information see
http://blog.shimabito.net/(Japanese blog of an Iwai-shima resident)
http://cnic.jp/english/topics/groups/kamigroup.pdf

Internationally important species

The area around Kaminoseki has several internationally important species. Finless porpoises live and rear young in this part of the Seto Inland Sea. Finless porpoise populations have been in decline in most parts of the Seto Inland Sea and there are currently only about 15% of 1990 numbers. However, in the area around Kaminoseki, numbers have been better maintained with around 40-90% of 1990 numbers. This is probably due to this part of the Inland Sea having been kept in a relatively pristine condition in comparison to other areas. Finless porpoises are listed on the IUCN Red List as "vulnerable".

The Japanese murrelet is a seabird also listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. These birds live in the Kaminoseki area and it is also possibly a breeding area - a nest of chicks was found in 2008. The Japanese murrelet is in decline partly due to the disturbance of nesting sites.

The Japanese wood pigeon is also living in this area. This bird is listed as "near threatened" on the IUCN Red List. There is a relatively small population of these birds and numbers are declining due to loss of habitat.

Peregrine falcons are nesting and breeding in the area. There were only 200-300 pairs of this bird in the whole of Japan in the 1990s.

Many kinds of molluscs are found in this area especially in Tanoura - the cove that would become landfill if Chugoku Electric Company's plans go ahead. The Tomura cf. Yashima has been identified on only four occasions and is probably endemic to Kaminoseki and possibly endemic to Tanoura. (See entry on Molluscs in Tanoura.)

Plant species in the area that have been listed in the Red List of the Japanese Ministry of Environment include Chinese juniper, Chinese dunce's cap, silver cloak fern and ferny azolla.


For more information see
http://www.cnic.jp/english/topics/groups/group84.html

Molluscs in Tanoura

The land reclamation that would take place as part of Chugoku Electric Company's proposal would be in Tanoura, a cove on the south side of Nagashima Island. This cove has a particularly rich fauna especially of molluscs. A study in 1999 found 183 species, 144 genera and 81 families in Tanoura. Of these, some are thought to be endemic to this location, such as Ceratia Nagashima, and eight species are on WWF Japan's Red List cited as "rare" or "vulnerable".

For further information, see
http://www.airies.or.jp/publication/ger/pdf/07-01-09.pdf

About us

This is the official English language blog for Hiroshima-Kaminoseki Link. We are an association of citizens who are concerned about the plans to construct a nuclear power plant at Kaminoseki, in the Seto Inland Sea National Park - a BIODIVERSITY HOT SPOT.

The project could irrevocably damage this pristine environment by
: replacing sea water with LANDFILL
: RAISING sea water TEMPERATURE
: risking devastating EARTHQUAKES (there are active faults concentrated around the site)


We are also concerned about contamination of the environment, and risk to human health, from low RADIATION release.


We are working to stop the plan in solidarity with our international friends and people in Iwai-shima Island who have protested against it for nearly 30 years. We believe that this Kaminoseki case could be a turning point for Japan's nuclear industry, which has been steadily and comprehensively expanding for the last 60 years.

Nuclear Power in Japan

Japan's nuclear power programme began in 1954 when 230 million yen was budgeted for nuclear power. The first plant began operation in 1966 in Ibaraki prefecture. Since that time, the industry has had strong government support and in 1973 nuclear power became a national strategic priority. Japan's industry was not affected as adversely as some countries by the Chernobyl accident and the Three Mile accident. New plants continued to be constructed throughout the 1980s and 1990s and up to the present day. However from the mid 1990s a string of accidents and cover-ups led to the Japanese public losong confidence in the safety of nuclear power. These accidents included the Tokaimura accident, the Mihama steam explosion and the cover-up of an accident at the Monju reactor. Due to safety concerns, protests about new plants have increased. Several proposed plants have been cancelled or frozen including plants proposed for Maki in Niigata, Kushima in Miyazaki, Ashihama in Mie and Hohoku in Yamaguchi. However, other plants continue to be built, and the government continues to support the industry. In 2008 Japan became the world's 3rd largest nuclear power user with 53 reactors providing about 30% of Japan's electricity.

For further information, see
http://world-nuclear.org/info/inf79.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_Japan