"Fresh Currents"--on Japan's renewable energy technologiesWe are delighted to announce that our brand-new Kyoto Journal/Heian-Kyo Media publication, "Fresh Currents," is now available, here:http://download.freshcurrents.org/It can be downloaded without any password, and it's free!We hope that you find it of interest, and will be motivated to pass it around widely.Below, we provide cover letters in English and Japanese, for convenience in forwarding.(英文の後に日本語訳が続きます)To concerned individuals everywhere:Please download your complimentary digital copy of *FreshCurrents,* our book on Fukushima and Japan's energy future, HERE:http://download.freshcurrents.org/We now stand at a critical watershed for Japan and the world ― will we choose to revert to the dangerous, costly and centrally-controlled industry of nuclear power, rely on the CO2-producing fuels of oil and coal, or embrace the exciting new possibilities of decentralized renewable energy technologies?Living only 60 kilometers from the Oi nuclear power plants (reopened in June amidst growing protests across the country), we felt compelled to add something positive to the growing movement towards a sustainable energy future. *Fresh Currents* was put together from a network of writers associated with *Kyoto Journal,* an NPO based in Kyoto that has been publishing in print and digitally for over 25 years.This book would not have been possible without the kind donations of people who visited our Indiegogo campaign or the incredibly hard work of all the volunteer writers, translators, photographers, designers and illustrators. We deeply thank everyone who has been or who will be a part of our project!A print edition will be available at the end of September (¥2000).Look for Fresh Currents & Kyoto Journal on FacebookTranslation by Yukiko Naitoあらゆる地域にお住まいの関係者各位：以下のサイトから、フクシマと日本のエネルギーの将来に関する私たちの本「Fresh Currents (新たな潮流)」の補足版をダウンロードして下さい。http://download.freshcurrents.org/現在、日本だけにとどまらず、全世界が、非常に重要な分岐点に立っています。----危険で、犠牲を伴う（高価な）、一括管理方式の原子力産業に踵（きびす）を返すのか、二酸化炭素を排出する石油や石炭の燃料に依存するのか、あるいは、分散型の再生可能エネルギー技術の心躍る新たな可能性を追求するのか---我々はどれを選んでいくのでしょうか？大飯原発では、全国各地の高まる反対の声にもかかわらず６月に再稼動を始めました。その大飯原発から６０キロしか離れていないところに住む私たちは、矢も盾もたまらず、持続可能なエネルギーの未来に向けて今拡大する運動に何らかのポジティブな行動を賦与したいと思い至ったのです。「FreshCurrents (新たな潮流)」の企画は、Kyoto Journal（京都ジャーナル）---２５年以上前から印刷版と電子版を出版する京都を拠点とするNPO法人---に参画するライターのネットワークから起ち上がりました。この本は、私たちのIndiegogoキャンペーンサイトを訪ねてご寄付下さった方々やボランティアのライター、翻訳者、写真家、デザイナーやイラストレーターの方々の信じがたい程のお骨折りがなければ実現しなかったのです。私たちは、プロジェクトにご参加下さった方々、また、これから、ご参加下さるであろう方々お一人お一人に心から深く感謝します！印刷版（一部２０００円）は、９月末に出来上がります。私たちの取り組みにご参加下さい！「Fresh Currents (新たな潮流)」のプロジェクトでは、あなたにご協力頂きたい四つのことがあります：・ フィードバック（ご意見、ご講評）を下さい！ あなたが特に有益だと思われたテキスト(文書)をお知らせ下さい。・ この「Fresh Currents (新たな潮流)」のPDFを我々のエネルギーの将来に関心を持つ教育関係者や環境関連団体や市民団体の方々、個人、ブログ、あるいは、ウェブサイトにご送付下さい。この出版物が殖え広まりますように！・ 私たちは、日本の出版社を捜しています。この件についてご提案、あるいは、ご助言を頂ければ幸いです。・ 原子力、フクシマ、そして、再生可能エネルギー技術に関するフィルムの上映を京都で行いたいと思っています。お気に入りのお薦めフィルムがおありですか？以下が連絡の窓口です。よろしくお願いいたします。Heartwork Editor：Jennifer Teeter: teeter42@gmail.com有難うございます！Fresh CurrentsチームフェイスブックでFresh CurrentsとKyoto Journalをご覧下さい。ハイライトのいくつか：「我々はどのようにして此処に至ったのか」から・ マイクル・シュナイダーの提言：我々はどのようにしてフクシマに応える必要があるか・ 日本における原子力の歴史**・ 東北の魂**・ 日本のメディアにおける原発レポート**・ 認められなければならないもの***「これから」から***・ *アイリーン・スミス、硬直した政治体制の矛盾を語る***・ *あなた自身のエネルギーを増やそう***・ *２０１２年の再生エネルギー状況報告***・ *２０５０年における日本の再生エネルギー風景のビジョン***・ *日本の固定価格買い取り制度に関するガイド***・ *再生可能エネルギーと将来を展望するビジネスモデル***・ *積極的に関与する仏教***
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Kyoto Journal: "Fresh Currents" now available online
Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan Urge Noda Government to open a Real Public Debate
Press Conference: 31 July, 2012 (Tuesday) 14:30 – 15:15
Place: Diet Members' No. 2 Office Building of the Lower House, No. 2 Conference Room
Speakers - Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan:
Murakami Tatsuya (Mayor of Tokai Village, Co-Initiator)
Sakurai Katsunobu (Mayor of Minamisoma City, Co-Initiator)
Uehara Hiroko (Former Mayor of Kunitachi City, Secretary General)
International Speakers:
Seo Hyeong-won (Councilor, Gwacheon City Council, Member of Steering Committee of Green Party Korea)
Baerbel Hoehn (Vice Chair, Alliance '90/Greens Parliamentary group)
Statements of Support:
Mayors for Alternative Energy and Nuclear Free World, Korea
Ms Ulli Sima, Executive City Councillor for Environment of Vienna
Language: Press Conference will be held in Japanese, with English interpretation available.
About Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan
The “Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan” network was officially launched in Tokyo on April 28, 2012. This network was initiated by mayors and local municipal leaders attending the Global Conference for a Nuclear Power Free World held in Yokohama in January 2012. As at July 2012, 77 mayors from 36 prefectures (of a total of 47) throughout Japan have declared their participation in this network.
For more information including members, past resolutions and statements, visit their site:
“Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan” Office: Nohira, Ochi
Tel: 03-6851-9791 Fax: 03-3363-7562
Mobile: 090-6015-6820 Email: mayors@npfree.jp
http://mayors.npfree.jp/
Sunday, July 29, 2012
★7.29 Human Chain Action Against The Diet Building For A Nuclear Free World
Via Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes (anti-nuclear coalition organized by residents in the Tokyo metropolitan area):
Human Chain Action
Date: July 29, 2012 (Sun)
16:30 Departure: 15:30 Demo: Start Rally
19:00: Surrounding the National Assembly (Candlelight rally)
Meeting place: Hibiya Park Nakasaiwai gate
Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Green Party 「緑の党」will be officially established today, July 28 2012, in Tokyo!
Via Greens Japan:
The Green Party 「緑の党」will be officially established this Saturday, July 28th in Tokyo.Then on Sunday, July 29th, there will be a Kick-Off Event with various speakers.【7/28（土）「緑の党」結成総会】11:00～18:00(開場10:30)会場：ＹＭＣＡアジア青少年センター http://ymcajapan.org/ayc/hotel/jp/東京都千代田区猿楽町2-5-5 TEL 03-3233-0611 （JR水道橋駅徒歩５分）【7/29（日）キックオフ！イベント 希望の未来をつかもう！】13:30～16:30（開場13:00）会場：星陵会館 東京都千代田区永田町2-16-2 TEL 03-3581-5650（東京メトロ有楽町・半蔵門線・南北線「永田町駅」６番出口 徒歩３分/東京メトロ千代田線「国会議事堂前駅」５番出口 徒歩５分）For more information: Greens Japan
Monday, July 23, 2012
Rose Welsch: Faces behind the 7.16.12 100,000+ Nuclear-Free Rally in Tokyo
Many thanks to Rose Welsch of Peace Boat, Global Article 9 Campaign and US for Okinawa for sharing these great photos from the 7.16.12 "Sayonara Nukes" rally in Tokyo and for cutting through to the crux of the issue: people in Japan and everywhere want to live democratically, by government "of the people, for the people, and by the people." In Japan and other nuclear nations, this means living without the threat of being nuked by their own nations' nuclear plants.
170,000 people gathered at the event,
Famous Japanese musician SUGIZO joined the event today
including this character, who depicted an "Imperial Nuclear Japan."
Great atmosphere here at the event!
Really interesting booths, speakers and musicians.
and gave a fantastic speech about the need to reclaim Japan
from those steering it down a dangerous course.
Yukawa Reiko, a famous songwriter and music specialist in Japan, joined today's event.
Upcoming and mid-level artists are often silenced in Japan
if they take a stand against nuclear energy,but people like Yukawa are undeterred.
These young people held up photographs of the domesticated animals
such as cows, dogs, cats that were left behind in the Fukushima evacuation zone
and have starved to death or are on their last legs. Their sign asks us to remember all the creatures besides humans who have been victimized by nuclear energy.
"The Government of the people, by the people, for the people."
This quote in English included in a Japanese newspaper article about widespread opposition
to the restart of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors caught my eye today.
From Japan to the US, from Canada to Egypt, isn't this basically what people are calling for?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Ragukaki: Contemporary Music for Koto & Shakuhachi - "dedicated to the pursuit of Beauty and Life on this planet"
This gorgeous collection "dedicated to the pursuit of Beauty and Life on this planet" by Kim Oswalt and Helen Dryz is available for online listening.
Includes "Gymnopédies" by late 19th-century French composer Erik Satie, two compositions by the late Katsutoshi Nagasawa, and three compositions by the late Minoru Miki, who believed music can serve as an elevating and bridging force for humanity:
In a world powered by military muscle and crass materialism, music and the fine arts may seem weak and ineffectual, but they provide a way to raise consciousness and reverse the march toward increasing violence and intolerance.
"With music," Miki said, "we hope to lead the way in place of leaders who cannot be trusted."
Friday, July 20, 2012
Mayor of Futaba asks PM Noda why SPEEDI nuclear radiation info was not released to residents of Fukushima
Moving testimony by Mr. Idogawa, mayor of Futaba, where Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant is located. Mr. Idogawa testified that the day of Unit 1's explosion, the Japanese government did not announce SPEEDI data regarding levels of nuclear radiation, so Futaba's residents evacuated northwest, to an area with even higher levels of nuclear radiation (because of wind drifts) than their town. Many citizens of Futaba were exposed to these higher levels of radiation including children.
Senator Masako Mori also severely questioned to Prime Minister Noda about Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant's accident.
福島第一原発を抱える双葉町の町長である井戸川氏は、１号機が爆発した日のことについて証言。日本政府がSPEEDIのデータを公表していなかった事から、双葉町民は放射能が流れる方向と同じ北西方向に避難してしまい、子どもも含んだたくさんの町民が被曝しました。国会にて森まさ子参議院議員は福島第一原発事故に関して野田首相の責任を厳しく追求しました
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
170,000 passionately take to Tokyo streets for Sayonara Nukes Rally: “We HAVE made change! Now, it’s time to take it to the next level."
Aerial view of Monday's demonstration
I have been fortunate enough to take part in many vibrant demonstrations calling for social change in such areas as peace, clean energy and other justice-related causes in various cities around the world for years. Here in Tokyo, Japan, where I have lived for the past decade, I have felt the demonstrations against nuclear power following last year’s Fukushima nuclear disaster growing steadily. Nothing, however, compares to the size and intensity of yesterday’s Sayonara Nukes Rally, held in and around the city’s Yoyogi Park.
Hajime Matsumoto
Deciding to take advantage of the summer sun by biking to the event, I understood that this demonstration was going to be different as soon as I approached police officers stationed more than a kilometer outside the park, followed soon thereafter by endless throngs of people clamoring to enter the demonstration grounds from all sides. Although the scene was familiar—event-goers of all ages waving placards, playing instruments, and shouting out various messages—the sheer immensity of the scale was absolutely unlike anything I had ever before experienced. The event had been extremely well-organized, catering to the many different demographics of protesters by arranging different marching contingents for the three major categories of attendees that were expected to attend: leftist labor groups, Gensuikyo and other anti-nuclear organizations, and NGOs/grassroots groups together with individual citizens—the latter of which constituted the newest historical element to protest culture in Japan. There was something here for everyone, and the combined energy felt vibrant, palpable—unstoppable.
The journey to the park (and adventure trying to find a space for my bike) took quite a bit longer than I had anticipated, and I ended up missing the first part of the day’s program, including speeches from numerous figures including musician/activist Ryuichi Sakamoto, author/nun Setouchi Jakucho, and performing artist/human rights activist Kaori Kanda, whose work I had become familiar with at a 2010 event. No matter, however; the day was just beginning, and there was plenty more to take in.
After swimming my way through the crowds, I was finally able to join members of the Namida Project to set off on the demonstration route through the streets of Shibuya. Needing more hands for our banners, we befriended a woman along the way who said she had never before attended a demonstration, but was moved to do so when thinking about the future for her two year-old daughter—a typical story I had heard many times during other post-3.11 demonstrations.
Marching with members of the Namida Project carrying a banner designed by Crystal Uchino,
author of the poignant essay, "Rise like Tsunamis after the Earthquakes"
author of the poignant essay, "Rise like Tsunamis after the Earthquakes"
Shortly thereafter, I had to turn back to meet up with a student of mine whom I had missed earlier in the park. The timing turned out to be perfect, since just as I returned to the event grounds, I heard wafting through the warm breeze the now-familiar guitar refrains from “Human Error”—the epic song from Kyoto-based band Frying Dutchman that had become the voice of the anti-nuclear movement following the 3.11 disaster. This was the song that had changed the views held by many of my previously pro-nuclear students, and I had been wanting badly to see it performed live. To do so here, surrounded by the powerful energy of the Sayonara Nukes rally, was beyond incredible. (Someone called my iPhone midway through, cutting off the filming. My apologies...)
I headed next to the other main stage, where another series of speakers were in the midst of delivering rousing speeches regarding the historical moment now taking place in Japan. I was pleased to see that Nobuto Hosaka—the mayor of Setagaya ward, where I just recently moved, and a staunch opponent of nuclear power—onstage discussing the Transition Setagaya movement (part of the global Transition Network), as well as Japan’s need for implementation of a “zero nuclear” policy. He was followed by Hiroko Uehara, former mayor of Kunitachi City, who minced no words in saying that the reason why the Ohi reactor was restarted boiled down to economics, pure and simple. “There is immense money to be made from nuclear power, and the nuclear mafia will not give up easily,” she said, “but the power is in our hands. If citizens raise their voices and pressure their local lawmakers to take up this issue at the national meeting of city mayors, we CAN make change!”
The need for political change was strongly echoed by Hajime Matsumoto, the owner of a recycled goods shop in Tokyo’s Koenji district, who successfully organized a large-scale anti-nuclear demonstration last April—mostly by word-of-mouth and social networking sites such as Twitter. “The attitude of this governmental administration following the Fukushima crisis has been beyond contemptible,” he alleged. “When citizens are demanding and pleading with regard to a specific issue—in this case the restart of the Ohi nuclear reactor—any respectable government would take some notice. Not these bastards, who just went right ahead and did what served them. Truly, it’s time for citizens to take back our country.”
Hajime Matsumoto
Taro Yamamoto, the actor who lost work over his vocal anti-nuclear stance following 3.11, took the stage next and voiced his deep emotion at viewing the crowds of attendees from the chartered helicopter flying above the crowd—an initiative spearheaded by author Takashi Hirose and funded by the Johnan Shinkin Bank, which had begun weeks earlier in order to ensure media coverage of the weekly demonstrations outside the Prime Minister’s residence. “Honestly speaking, I had been losing hope that we as individuals would be able to make change. But when I saw the endless sea of people extending out from the park in all directions, I realized I was wrong: We HAVE made change,” he said impassionedly. “Now, we must take this to the next level. Politicians must know that if they do not respond to the peoples’ wishes, their jobs are finished.”
“The world is watching to see Japan’s next moves regarding nuclear power, which will reveal whether or now we have learned from the pain of the Fukushima nuclear accident,” said Akira Kawasaki from the Peace Boat NGO, director of the Global Conference for a Nuclear Power-Free World held in Yokohama in January. “This is truly a pivotal moment in history.”
The New York Times has a good article on the demonstration, and this Daily Kos had a brilliant overview of the day’s events, including organizers’ rebuttal to the short-sighted argument that the disaster is owing to “Japanese culture”. Kanagawa-based blogger Ruthie Iida also has an interesting account of her experience during the demo at her beautiful photo site, Faces of Japan.
Powerful video showing Fukushima women engaging in a"die-in"
in front of the Prime Minister's residence on June 7, 2012 to protest the restart of the Ooi Nuclear Power Plant, after having submitted a protest to the office of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
Top: "The Ohi Nuclear Power Plant and Osprey helicopters are destroying our lives and nature"
Bottom: Keibo Oiwa of the Sloth Club (left), whose sign reads "Nuclear power: Thank you and goodbye."
Above: Discussing the day's events together with a group of like-minded friends, including social and food justice activists, organic farmers, and filmmakers
--Kimberly Hughes
Monday, July 16, 2012
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