Ten Thousand Things
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"Ten Thousand Things" is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in the universe.

850,000 in Japan say "NO" to Rokkasho Nuclear Reprocessing Plant in Aomori Prefecture
[—by Jean Miyake Downey]

From Martin Frid's eco-news blog, KURASHI: News from Japan: on the CONSUMERS UNION OF JAPAN alliance with other NGOs to stop the Rokkasho nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture.

"... to stop Rokkasho-Mura.

"Groups opposed to the nuclear-fuel reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture handed an 850,000-signature petition to the government Monday, demanding it rethink atomic power strategy. The reprocessing facility in Rokkasho, set to begin operations next month, will gather spent nuclear fuel from power plants nationwide and extract uranium and plutonium for reuse. It has been on its final test run since March 2006. Studies show the plant, after it goes into full operation, may release in a single day a year's worth of a regular nuclear plant's radioactivity.

"The Japan Times: "Fishery, consumer, groups say no to nuclear reprocessing in Rokkasho."

"The National Network to Stop Radioactive Pollution from the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and Consumers Union of Japan have issued a call for action to stop the nuclear reprocessing plant at Rokkashomura in Aomori prefecture, Japan. Read more here.

1) We express our views about the actual damage due to radioactive contamination, in order to avoid rumours to spread.

2) We declare that we will independently measure radioactive contamination in order to protect the natural environment and the farming industry from increased levels of pollution.

3) We declare that we will cooperate with farmers and food producers, by connecting consumers to the land.

4) We call for opposition to radioactive pollution from the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, in order to protect the rich and plentiful natural environment, life and food, as well as the air and water.

(Call for action signed by Consumers Union of Japan and other consumer organizations and cooperatives – more groups are invited to participate)

For excellent background on this subject, Japanfocus.org's online excerpt of Gavan McCormack's "Japan as a Nuclear State," a chapter from his 2007 book, Client State: Japan in the American Embrace is an up-to-date source. McCormack's illuminating book outlines the "transformation of Japan, designed to meet the demands from Washington that Japan become the 'Great Britain of the Far East,'" detailing the Japanese government’s "submission to American policy at the loss of tradition, free speech, neighbouring allies and national consciousness in favour of military defense, government corruption and growing involvement in US global imperialism."

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