Fukushima, 15 years later: the little-known realities

Disinformation and energy consequences

The Fukushima accident on 11 March 2011 had an exceptional and unique impact on world public opinion, influencing energy policies long-term and their role in responding to or exacerbating related geopolitical and environmental issues. On the occasion of this anniversary, Facing the Atom has published a series of articles debunking myths around this accident, and it is also a moment to honor the victims, remember the circumstances of these accidents and highlight the importance of safety measures and principles developed since.

For 15 years since Fukushima, the erroneous representations associated with the instrumentalization of this disaster have contributed to an immeasurable loss of opportunity for the world’s population:

Delay in responding to climate change
Health and environmental impact of alternatives, including fossil fuels
Prosperity and strengthening of authoritarian regimes holding global oil and gas reserves
Impoverishment of non-oil/gas economies

Through this editorial series, Facing the Atom wishes to offer the media, decision-makers, and citizens factual elements to encourage informed discussion of nuclear energy, its real risks, and its potential role in facing today’s climate challenges.

Fukushima: when fear becomes a risk factor

The Fukushima accident in 2011 did not cause any radiation-related deaths.

However, the massive and prolonged evacuation decided in a context of great worry resulted in about 2,200 deaths, while the earthquake and tsunami had already claimed more than 18,000 victims.

Neither the water quality nor the marine biodiversity of the Pacific Ocean were impacted by radioactivity, the crops around the plant were not made unfit for consumption, the shutdown of Japanese nuclear power plants had major impacts on the health of the Japanese people due to the use of coal instead of nuclear power. The circumstances of the Fukushima accident could not occur in France.

This event led to:

The complete halting of a worldwide dynamic of nuclear revival and the political closure of operational reactors
A loss of industrial and academic skills
Sustainable underinvestment in an energy source that is still essential to the fight against climate change.

Discover our information sheet summarizing the facts around the Fukushima accident

Disaster versus accident

On March 11, 2011, an exceptionally powerful earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami struck Japan and caused the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. To understand what really happened, it is essential to distinguish the consequences of the natural disaster from those of the nuclear accident.

Accidents

The Fukushima accident was the leading cause of death and damage on March 11th, 2011

False

The natural disaster of March 11th, 2011 (the Tōhoku earthquake, followed by the tsunami) is directly responsible for nearly 18,500 deaths and disappearances. It also caused about 50 industrial accidents, which also had health and environmental consequences. However, the world has essentially retained only the Fukushima nuclear accident, despite its considerably lower consequences to human health.

Accidents

Chernobyl is the worst industrial disaster of the 20th century

False

Chernobyl (1986) was the worst civilian nuclear accident. 2 workers died immediately, 28 of the 134 workers who received extreme doses died within one year, and another 50 have died since. WHO calculates a few thousand potential deaths among the most at-risk populations. But the worst industrial disaster of the twentieth century remains the Bhopal chemical accident in India (1984), with 5,000 – 25,000 dead and 200,000 – 800,000 injured.

Accidents

The Fukushima accident was the leading cause of death and damage on March 11th, 2011

False

The natural disaster of March 11th, 2011 (the Tōhoku earthquake, followed by the tsunami) is directly responsible for nearly 18,500 deaths and…

Accidents

Chernobyl is the worst industrial disaster of the 20th century

False

Chernobyl (1986) was the worst civilian nuclear accident. 2 workers died immediately, 28 of the 134 workers who received extreme…

Moderate health impact

The Fukushima accident raised many concerns about the effects of radiation on populations. Between actual risks, protective measures, and misconceptions, it is important to examine what scientific studies and feedback actually say about the health impacts.

Health

Fukushima has caused thousands of deaths due to radiation

False

Radioactive releases from the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident resulted in such low population exposure that 15 years later no casualties have been recorded and no observable increases in cancers or deaths are expected.

Health

The main danger of Fukushima for populations was radioactive contamination

False

The main health impact of the accident is a consequence of evacuation and fear. It was detrimental to the well-being and mental health of the affected populations. Excessive media treatment, anxiety-provoking communication of anti-nuclear militant movements, and stigmatization by the rest of the Japanese population have only worsened these impacts.

Health

It would have been preferable not to evacuate the people of Fukushima immediately

True

Research today questions the extent, suddenness, and duration of the evacuations around Fukushima, whose impact on the health of the populations concerned would ultimately be more severe than the effect of radioactive discharges if these people had remained at home or returned more quickly.

Health

Fukushima has caused thousands of deaths due to radiation

False

Radioactive releases from the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident resulted in such low population exposure that 15 years later no casualties…

Health

The main danger of Fukushima for populations was radioactive contamination

False

The main health impact of the accident is a consequence of evacuation and fear. It was detrimental to the well-being…

Health

It would have been preferable not to evacuate the people of Fukushima immediately

True

Research today questions the extent, suddenness, and duration of the evacuations around Fukushima, whose impact on the health of the…

Low environmental contamination

After the accident, the issue of environmental contamination around Fukushima fueled much of the debate. More than a decade later, monitoring data provides a better understanding of the true extent of these contaminations and their evolution over time.

Accidents

The Fukushima area is still radioactive

Misleading

The level of radioactivity in the Fukushima region today is comparable to the natural radioactivity of several regions of the world where no health effects have been demonstrated.

Environment

The sea around Fukushima has been dangerously contaminated

False

Radioactive releases from the nuclear accident did not have an observable impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems beyond the immediate vicinity of the plant, and no impact is expected.

Environment

Water treated and discharged near Fukushima is harmful to the environment

False

Discharges into the sea of “radioactive” water containing tritium had no impact on ecosystems. The water immediately returned to concentrations consistent with guidelines for drinking water.

Health

Japanese food products became dangerous after Fukushima

Misleading

The negative image around food produced in Japan has weighed heavily on the Japanese economy and on local producers who still struggle to make a living from their production, which nevertheless conforms with consumer standards.

Accidents

The Fukushima area is still radioactive

Misleading

The level of radioactivity in the Fukushima region today is comparable to the natural radioactivity of several regions of the…

Environment

The sea around Fukushima has been dangerously contaminated

False

Radioactive releases from the nuclear accident did not have an observable impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems beyond the immediate…

Environment

Water treated and discharged near Fukushima is harmful to the environment

False

Discharges into the sea of “radioactive” water containing tritium had no impact on ecosystems. The water immediately returned to concentrations…

Health

Japanese food products became dangerous after Fukushima

Misleading

The negative image around food produced in Japan has weighed heavily on the Japanese economy and on local producers who…

Risks and nuclear safety

The Fukushima accident revived concerns about nuclear safety. However, when we analyze the facts, we see that many of these fears are based on exaggerated perceptions, whereas the accident led to further strengthening of safety requirements and feedback in the sector.

Democracy & Society

Fukushima proves that all nuclear reactors are inherently unsafe and poorly secured

False

Before the Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan’s nuclear and industrial safety agency was ineffective and not very independent from the government or actors of the energy industry. These officials were unable to impose the simple improvements that the operator, Tepco, would have needed to avoid the disaster. This situation cannot be extrapolated to other countries that operate nuclear power plants.

Democracy & Society

The nuclear industry has learned nothing from Fukushima

False

The analysis and feedback from this accident, which we must not underestimate and which was preventable, made it possible to improve the level of safety of nuclear reactors, in Japan and worldwide, with the active and immediate participation of the global nuclear industry.

Little-Known Facts

The Onagawa power plant effectively withstood the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami

True

The reactors at the Onagawa power plant, the closest to the epicenter, did not suffer major damage during the earthquake. Rugged enough to withstand the tsunami, the plant then served as a shelter for local people.

Democracy & Society

Fukushima proves that all nuclear reactors are inherently unsafe and poorly secured

False

Before the Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan’s nuclear and industrial safety agency was ineffective and not very independent from the government…

Democracy & Society

The nuclear industry has learned nothing from Fukushima

False

The analysis and feedback from this accident, which we must not underestimate and which was preventable, made it possible to…

Little-Known Facts

The Onagawa power plant effectively withstood the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami

True

The reactors at the Onagawa power plant, the closest to the epicenter, did not suffer major damage during the earthquake….

Energy and climate consequences

Beyond Japan, the Fukushima accident has influenced energy policies in many countries. Reactor closures, changes in the energy mix, and impacts on CO₂ emissions. What about today?

Environment

Japan improved its environmental record after Fukushima

False

The prolonged shutdown of Japan’s nuclear power plants following the Fukushima accident brutally deprived the country of 30% of its electricity, which is still largely offset by fossil fuels (coal and natural gas), significantly increasing Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment

Japan improved its environmental record after Fukushima

False

The prolonged shutdown of Japan’s nuclear power plants following the Fukushima accident brutally deprived the country of 30% of its…