Over three thousand march in Osaka on April 16th- No more Nuclear!

"We don't need nuclear power, nuclear weapons either"

No more nuclear power,
Protect our children,
Protect the women,
Protect the men,
Protect Japan,
Protect the world,
Give us back Fukushima,
Give us back our land,
We want to drink milk,
We want to eat rice,
We want to eat vegetables,
We want to see tomorrow,
We want to be alive tomorrow,
We want to be alive the day after tomorrow,
No more nuclear
Let's put an end to nuclear power together!
(Chant sung at Osaka April 16th Demonstration)

Anti-nuclear chants rang through the streets of Osaka, as over 3000 demonstrators filled the streets in solidarity against the continued use of nuclear power by Japan in the face of the unfolding nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Inspired by the 17,500 people-strong demonstration in Tokyo on April 10th, people young and old, walking on two feet or in wheel chairs, school teachers, business people, politicians, and celebrities gathered their creative energy together to raise their voices on behalf of those that can not. Some demonstrators, fearful of losing their jobs for participating in the demonstration, covered themselves with masks and hats so as not to be identified by their respective companies as they marched in the three-hour demonstration.

This young man led protesters in the group I walked with.

Green Action director Aileen Mioko Smith

The demonstration was commenced with speeches from anti-nuclear movement leaders from the following 8 organizations:

• Stop the Monju
• No Nukes Asia Forum- Japan
• Mihama Anti-nuclear Group of Osaka (Mihama is home to one of ten nuclear reactors in Fukui prefecture)
• Green Action
• Aid for Chernobyl Survivors- Kansai
• Wakasa Action Network (Wakasa Bay is the location of a nuclear plant in Fukui)
• Know Nuclear Power Network of Shiga
• Anti-nuclear power network of Nara

Aileen Mioko Smith of Green Action spoke of her visit to Fukushima prior to the disaster. She could see the fear in people's eyes as they discussed the potential for disaster at Fukushima.

A Taiwanese man described how the nuclear crisis in Japan is providing momentum for the anti-nuclear movement in Taiwan, where there stands a nuclear plant constructed by Toshiba. An Anti-nuclear Power Network of Nara member shared her frustration with the city of Nara. Her attempts to convince politicians to create a plan to move away from nuclear power fell on deaf ears.

Some estimate 50% of energy in Kansai originates from nuclear reactors. We have yet to see if Japan, the third largest producer of nuclear energy in the world, will reverse it's goal to derive 50% of its domestic energy production from nuclear plants.

While politicians, including Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara, continue to make statements in favor of the use of nuclear power in Japan, others, such as newly elected Kanagawa governor Yuji Kuroiwa, are promoting a shift to renewable energy. Drawing upon the experience of Kamakura, where the Great Buddha 800 meters from the shore was swept away by a tsunami 1100 years ago, Kuroiwa is criticizing leaders who propose that building higher walls along the shores will protect Japan from tsunamis, and instead is proposing an end to nuclear power and investment in the solar banks.

For some people, including popular comedians who wish to remain unidentified, it was their first time to participate in any public demonstration. A 32-year old school teacher, hidden behind a mask, explained his reasons for joining the demonstration. "I wanted to show my solidarity with the people who want to see a future with no nuclear power. Nuclear power has the potential to destroy the world, it can kill the earth. We should invest money in alternative energy creation. I will not stop raising my voice." It is time to listen to the voices of the people and end Japan's dependence on nuclear power.

Over 3000 people march in Osaka

Show your support by adding your name to the petition to close down the Hamaoka Nuclear Power plant.

- Jennifer Teeter