top rounded corners
pad
  • Increase font size
  • Decrease font size
  • Default font size
pad
Seach Sponsored by Road Runner
pad
Republican National Convention
Nuclear Waste Processing Plant Environmental Threat? Print E-mail
Written by Terry Hunter - thunter@kgmb9.com   
July 11, 2008 08:51 PM

 
 
Activists in Japan say a nuclear waste processing plant in northern Japan threatens the environment and should not be opened as scheduled this Fall. A documentary on the controversial plant and its potential effects on the rest of the world screens at the University of Hawaii this weekend.

"Now in the middle of the village at the highest point with the best views, a plant has been built for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants," said the film's director.

Instead of just burying the spent fuel from nuclear reactors as the United States does, Japan is trying to extract useable plutonium from that radioactive fuel. The country has spent $20 billion over the past 15 years to build this first nuclear waste reprocessing plant, but there's a complication. A reprocessing plant discharges as much radioactive material in a day as a nuclear reactor releases in a year.

The radioactive substances released from the chimney will be carried on the wind and spread out across the farmland that lies downwind. Radioactive waste will also be discharged into the ocean through a huge pipe that extends two miles off shore, and that worries surfers and fishermen who have complained to the government.

"What they say is the ocean is big, so no problem. That's not the point; it's going to get to the fish," said David Kinoshita, a surfer from Japan.

Ryo Kubota, a UH graduate student, says discharge from the plant could even affect Hawaii.

"The North Pacific current goes from Japan all the way to United States and current comes back to Hawaii. so that if something happens in Japan, that pollutant can reach Hawaii," said Kubota.

That's why Kubota helped bring the documentary called "Rokkasho Rhapsody" to the University of Hawaii. The film chronicles the efforts of Japanese activists to call attention to the danger of radioactive contamination. "Rokkasho Rhapsody" screens in Spaulding auditorium at 5pm Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.


Digg!Reddit!Del.icio.us!Google!Facebook!Slashdot!Technorati!StumbleUpon!Newsvine!Furl!Fark!Yahoo!Ma.gnolia!
Last Updated ( July 18, 2008 06:32 PM )
 
Republican National Convention
Democratic National Convention
KGMB9 Developing News - Powered by Zippy's
Sunrise on KGMB9 - Powered by Sunny Side Up

Poncho's Giveaway

Poncho's Giveaway

Saltimbanco

Saltimbanco

9 Online - Morning

Subscribe to receive 9 Online

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner!

9 Online - Afternoon

Subscribe to receive 9 Online

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner!

DTV Countdown


New on Sunrise

Living Lei Chic
Living Lei Chic
Every Thursday Morning

Grace Lee and special 'Lei Chic' Correspondent Alyson Helwagen start 'Living Lei Chic' as they reveal some of Hawaii's undiscovered fashion, shopping, dining and beauty trends!

Wake Up With Us

Severe Weather Special

Eye on the Sky
Eye on the Sky

With the Hurricane Season underway, KGMB9's weather team took a close look at what lies ahead for you this summer.

See What's in Store

Campaign 2008

Take A Stand
Take a Stand
KGMB9 Initiative

KGMB9 challenges you to 'Take a Stand' this election year by registering to vote, being informed and casting a ballot.

Find out more

KGMB9 Sports Presents

Humble & Hungry
Warrior Football:
Humble & Hungry
Replay Friday, Aug. 29
7:00 p.m.

Join KGMB9 as we kick off the 2008 Warrior Football season in this one-hour special hosted by KGMB9 Sports Director Liz Chun, with reports by Mike Cherry and Steve Uyehara.

Get a Sneak Preview

KGMB9 Sports

Pre-Season NFL Football
Up Next:
Oakland Raiders @
Seattle Seahawks (LIVE)
Friday, 8/29
4p - 7p

All month long in August, KGMB9 presents NFL 2008 Pre-Season Football! Watch all of the action in nine pre-season games you'll only see here on KGMB9.

See the Schedule

bottom rounded corners