Reactions in Japan and across Asia

Abstract

The Fukushima disaster was claimed to be on a scale similar to that of the disaster at Chernobyl, and although uncertainties remained about the magnitude of the impacts, opposition to nuclear grew in Japan and there were major political recriminations. As this chapter describes, trust in the authorities and in the operating company, TEPCO, was undermined, and there was increasing pressure to abandon nuclear power in favour of renewable energy — a view adopted by Prime Minster Kan. Some neighbouring countries took similar stances, but, despite growing public opposition, the governments of China, India and South Korea continued to support nuclear expansion.