FAS In Depth: One Year Later: Fukushima and the Future of Nuclear Power

FAS In-Depth: March 9, 2012   

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Note: This is a new weekly newsletter which will be sent to FAS members, analyzing a current security threat, and FAS work on this issue. If you have any ideas for upcoming content, please contact Katie Colten, Membership Coordinator, at kcolten@fas.org.

One Year Later: Fukushima and the Future of Nuclear Power

March 11th marks the one year anniversary of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan. These natural disasters resulted in the crisis at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant. One year later, there are massive amounts of nuclear waste and high levels of radiation, and those citizens who live near the plant have not been able to return to their homes.
As a result of this crisis, many questions still remain. What is the future of nuclear power usage not only for Japan, but other countries such as the United States, South Korea, Germany and China? How should Japan properly dispose of the radioactive waste as a result of this accident? Finally, what should Japan's new energy policy look like post-Fukushima?
Your support helps the Federation of American Scientists make a difference. As a valued FAS Member, you're able to listen to this new podcast before it is released to the general public.
In a new edition of the FAS podcast series, "A Conversation With an Expert", FAS President Dr. Charles D. Ferguson answers these questions, and examines the safety of U.S. nuclear power plants post-Fukusima.
You can listen to the podcast here.
The podcast transcript is available here (PDF).
For more information on Fukushima and future use of nuclear power, check out these FAS resources and much more on our website.

​Nuclear Crisis at Fukushima:
Nuclear Crisis in Japan
After Fukushima: Rethinking the Case for Nuclear Power’s Expansion
After Fukushima: Lessons Learned from the Public’s Response
Fukushima Dai-ichi: The Nuclear Black Swan
Nuclear Aftershocks (PBS Frontline)
Potential Implications of the Fukushima Daiichi Accident for Nuclear Power (Presentation by FAS President Dr. Charles D. Ferguson at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on March 6, 2012).

Nuclear Power:
The Future of Nuclear Power in the United States (FAS Report)
Whither Nuclear Power?
Fight, Flight, or Freeze: Response Options to Nuclear or Radiological Emergencies


Congressional Research Service Reports:
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
Japan’s 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami: Economic Effects and Implications for the United States
Nuclear Power Plant Design and Seismic Safety Concerns
Financing Recovery After a Catastrophic Earthquake or Nuclear Power Incident
Nuclear Energy Policy
Effects of Radiation from Fukushima Daiichi on the U.S. Marine Environment
The Japanese Nuclear Incident
Nuclear Power Plant Sites
Nuclear Power: Outlook for New U.S. Reactors


Other Reports:
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Strategic Plan (U.S. Department of Energy)