Op-Ed Contributors

Nature's revenge on human hubris

By Feng Zhaokui (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-04-14 08:02

Nations should learn the lessons of Japan's triple crisis, change their security concepts and enhance cooperation

Japan's crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, whose severity rating was raised from level 5 to 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale on Tuesday, will arguably last a long time and have a far-reaching impact.

The disaster is evolving into a global incident because it concerns the fate of the 441 nuclear power reactors now in operation around the world, many of which date from the 1970s and 1980s, with an average lifespan of about 35 years.

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Countries engaging in nuclear power generation will face major challenges in terms of nuclear power management, technology, security and environmental impact evaluations, as well as in the decision-making process on whether to continue completing the nuclear power plants already under construction and in planning, and how to safely decommission aging reactors.

The Japanese people have shown great self-discipline and stoicism in the face of the huge earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis and they will show perseverance in post-disaster reconstruction. But, as an aging society, Japan is unlikely to repeat the growth miracle that followed World War II. It may achieve a moderate economic recovery but its national strength will be affected.

The disaster further exposes Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters. It is remarkable that the nation was able to overcome its geography and geology to become a major economic power. But, a nation's development cannot go beyond the limit of its natural conditions. As Frederick Engels once said: "Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human victories over nature. For each such victory nature takes its revenge on us."

Between 1967 and 1987, to pursue fast economic growth, Japan, regardless of the fact that the islands lie on a major fault line, introduced nuclear power technology from the United States and France and built 34 nuclear power reactors, relying on Britain and France to deal with the nuclear waste. As both the "entrance" and "exit" of Japan's nuclear power production are dependent on foreign countries, Japan's nuclear power plants have been described as "an apartment without a kitchen and washroom".

The US helped Japan in the design and construction of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. However, during the crisis, the protection of its servicemen and rescuers from exposure to radiation was Washington's top priority. The nuclear accident has also exposed loopholes in Japan's nuclear power plant safety management and the lack of nuclear technology talents. The Tokyo Electric Power Company with many retired officials in charge of management has been arrogant and bureaucratic in dealing with the crisis. The monopolized private power giant has glossed over its mistakes several times, and even deliberately kept previous nuclear accidents from the public.

In addition, Japan's crisis will reinforce the perception of the risks inherent in working in a nuclear power plant and make it even more difficult to attract talent. Ensuring the quality of technology and management personnel working in the nuclear power industry will be a challenge facing all countries.

The nuclear accident is both an alarm and a lesson for the world's nuclear power industry, and could benefit the safety of nuclear power.

The Fukushima Daiichi incident reflects the diversity of national security issues. Nuclear power plant security is derived from national energy security, which is a top national security issue. Nuclear power plant security issues involve not only natural disasters, but also security problems caused by external attacks (terrorists can steal radioactive material or use conventional weapons to attack nuclear power plants).

Nuclear power countries must implement a coordinated and comprehensive military-related security strategy to address multiple security issues, including traditional and non-traditional security issues, as well as internal and external security threats.

The nuclear disaster in Japan typically shows that "a fortress is usually broken through from the inside". Before the earthquake, Japanese statesmen were busy rallying forces to deal with the so-called China's military threat, while paying little attention to the power company's withholding of information about previous accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The radiation leaks following the earthquake and tsunami show us it is imperative for East Asian countries and regions to strengthen cooperation in dealing with nuclear power safety issues, especially for China, which is gearing up its nuclear power program and which is also prone to natural disasters.

However, the catastrophe has enhanced people's sense of unity and integration in Asia, and indeed the whole world, and may have a profound impact on international relations. At least, it has boosted the spirit of unity among different people to create a more secure world.

The author is a researcher with the Institute of Japanese Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.