On January 18th this year, the Tokyo High Court upheld the acquittal of three former Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) executives. Tepco Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata, alongside former vice presidents Ichiro Takekuro and Sakae Muto were found not guilty of manslaughter or negligence as it relates to Japan’s “Triple Disaster” of 2011 (ABC).
The Triple Disaster of 2011, also referred to as the Fukushima Daiichi Accident or the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, is the most expensive natural disaster in human history. The incident destroyed 138,000 buildings, and Japan incurred $360 billion in economic losses (Brookings). The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported 19,759 deaths, 6,242 injured, and 2,553 people missing related to the Triple Disaster (FDMA).
Japan was struck by the most powerful earthquake in its recorded history on March 13th, 2011. With the epicenter being in Sendai of the Tōhoku region, the magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Tōhoku. The impact was significant, as it was felt as far away as Russia, Taiwan and China (over 2,500 kilometers away) (Britannica 1). The earthquake triggered a series of tsunami waves, the highest of which reached 40 meters (132 feet) high (NCEI). Much concern about the tsunami was directed toward the multiple nuclear power stations located within Tōhoku, specifically the nuclear plants in close proximity to Sendai.
While many power plants in the region automatically shut down following the earthquake, three reactors in Tepco’s Fukushima Daiichi facility suffered fatal damage to their backup generators (Britannica 1). A subsequent nuclear disaster ensued, and about 150,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes due to radiation exposure in the food, water, and ocean (Britannica 2). Despite efforts from Tepco employees at the plant, more people in the region died due to the nuclear evacuation than from the earthquake and tsunami. Many citizens blame Tepco for a lack of preparation for natural disasters and the leakage of 300 tons of radioactive material (NBC).
International response to the events of March 13th, 2011 in Japan has varied, and the global sphere’s reaction has altered the future of nuclear energy. Japan’s infrastructure losses as well as the uprooting of large communities led to industrial production drops that negatively impacted its economy and countries in its supply network (Brookings). With the drop in electrical supply, Japan has turned to oil imports, causing trade deficits that continue to this day. Such trade shortages hit record heights in 2022, with deficits of 19.97 trillion yen ($156 billion) accompanied by energy import surges (ABC). The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was created in response to reduce and prevent new disaster risks; it was adopted by the United Nations and 187 UN Member States in 2015 and makes up part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (WHO). Multiple countries, including Germany, Switzerland and Spain have reduced or eliminated their nuclear reactors in response to the disaster (IAEA).
With the displacement, deaths, and nuclear leaks that have resulted as a consequence of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, many citizens continue to air their frustration with Tepco for a lack of preparation. While the Tokyo High Court ruling upheld a 2019 lower court acquittal decision due to the unforeseeable nature of the tsunami, many Fukushima residents who attended and protested outside of the court were left disappointed with the verdict. The Tokyo High Court decision contrasts with an earlier civil lawsuit in which the executives were ordered to pay 13 trillion yen ($99 billion) due to expert tsunami data that indicated preventability (ABC). Tepco statements claim that while the company could have been more proactive with safety measures, it could not have predicted the tsunami that triggered the nuclear disaster (CNBC).
Works Cited
- ABC News. “Japan court acquits utility executives in Fukushima disaster.” Retrieved from: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-court-acquits-execs-fukushima-disaster-96498732.
- Brookings.“Earthquake, Tsunami, Meltdown – The Triple Disaster’s Impact on Japan, Impact on the World.” Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2013/03/11/earthquake-tsunami-meltdown-the-triple-disasters-impact-on-japan-impact-on-the-world/.
- 総務省消防庁災害対策本部 (Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Trans.) 平成23年（2011年）東北地方太平洋沖地震（東日本大震災）について（第162報）（令和4年3月8日) (Press release no. 162 of the 2011 Tohuku earthquake, Trans.)
- Britannica. “Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 | Facts & Death Toll.” Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/event/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011#ref299861.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. “On This Day: 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami | News.” Retrieved from: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/day-2011-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami.
- Britannica. “Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 | Facts & Death Toll.” Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/event/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011#ref299861.
- Britannica.. “What happened after the Fukushima accident?”. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/question/What-happened-after-the-Fukushima-accident.
- NBC News.“Fukushima evacuation has killed more than earthquake and tsunami, survey says.” Retrieved from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/fukushima-evacuation-has-killed-more-earthquake-tsunami-survey-says-flna8c11120007.
- Brookings. “Earthquake, Tsunami, Meltdown – The Triple Disaster’s Impact on Japan, Impact on the World.” Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2013/03/11/earthquake-tsunami-meltdown-the-triple-disasters-impact-on-japan-impact-on-the-world/..
- ABC News. “Japan marks record trade deficit on soaring energy imports.” Retrieved from: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-marks-record-trade-deficit-soaring-energy-imports-96526140.
- World Health Organization. “WHO technical guidance notes on Sendai framework reporting for ministries of health.” Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003712.
- International Atomic Energy Agency. “Nuclear Power 10 Years After Fukushima: Retrieved from: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/nuclear-power-10-years-after-fukushima-the-long-road-back.
- ABC News. “Japan court acquits utility executives in Fukushima disaster.” Retrieved from: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-court-acquits-execs-fukushima-disaster-96498732. Accessed 30 January 2023.
- CNBC. “Utility executives acquitted in Fukushima nuclear disaster.” Retrieved from: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/19/utility-executives-acquitted-in-fukushima-nuclear-disaster.html. Accessed 7 February 2023.
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