electricity generation. As a measure to combat global climate change, nuclear power
is expected to be an indispensable tool to prevent the release of CO 2 , a greenhouse
gas, during power generation. However, there are many obstacles to relying on
nuclear power, including high costs, long-term management of radioactive waste,
and the dangers of nuclear accidents in particular.
The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, caused by the Great
East Japan Earthquake, occurred in March 2011 (IAEA 2011) and had a huge global
impact. Shocking images were released of hydrogen explosions in power plant
buildings. Nuclear power policies in many countries were immediately modified.
The change in Japan, in particular, was remarkable. All nuclear reactors were
temporarily stopped in order to undergo inspections. In February 2020, some have
resumed operation. There are currently seven operating reactors: Genkai Units 3 and
4, Sendai Units 1 and 2, Ohi Units 3 and 4, and Takahama Unit 4. In addition,
Takahama Unit 3 and Ikata Unit 3 are currently undergoing inspection but are
scheduled to restart operations.
Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, concerns about
nuclear energy use were uncommon in Japan. Some people preferred electric power
production by nuclear plants. Compared to thermal power plants, nuclear plants can
reduce environmental pollution and operate with a small amount of fuel. Expectations for nuclear power stalled temporarily after the accident at the Chernobyl power
plant in 1986. However, in the 1990s, a construction boom of nuclear power plants
began, in support of economic development in developing countries such as China,
resulting in a reduction in criticisms of nuclear power. Even after the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, primary energy demands in developing countries remain high, and it is unlikely that nuclear power phaseout will be achieved
globally.
The impact of nuclear accidents is not limited to single countries; influences on
peripheral countries should be considered. Hence, even if Japan successfully phases
out nuclear power, risks of impacts arising from nuclear accidents in South Korea
and China cannot be excluded. There are many nuclear power plants in East Asia
(China National Nuclear Corporation 2014; Japan Atomic Energy Agency 2014;
Korea Electric Power Corporation 2014). In order to protect people from nuclear
accidents, it is essential to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants both domestically and internationally. In this chapter, we analyze trends in nuclear accidents to
provide insight to the design of an East Asia nuclear security system.
11.2 Previous Analyses of Accidental Events at Nuclear
Power Plants
In Japan-US Comparative Analysis of Nuclear Power Plant Operating Rates and
Trouble Incidence Rates (Kainou 2009), accidents at nuclear power plants in Japan
and the United States from 1999 to 2008 are analyzed. The “trouble” here covers all
200
W. Zhou et al.
is expected to be an indispensable tool to prevent the release of CO 2 , a greenhouse
gas, during power generation. However, there are many obstacles to relying on
nuclear power, including high costs, long-term management of radioactive waste,
and the dangers of nuclear accidents in particular.
The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, caused by the Great
East Japan Earthquake, occurred in March 2011 (IAEA 2011) and had a huge global
impact. Shocking images were released of hydrogen explosions in power plant
buildings. Nuclear power policies in many countries were immediately modified.
The change in Japan, in particular, was remarkable. All nuclear reactors were
temporarily stopped in order to undergo inspections. In February 2020, some have
resumed operation. There are currently seven operating reactors: Genkai Units 3 and
4, Sendai Units 1 and 2, Ohi Units 3 and 4, and Takahama Unit 4. In addition,
Takahama Unit 3 and Ikata Unit 3 are currently undergoing inspection but are
scheduled to restart operations.
Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, concerns about
nuclear energy use were uncommon in Japan. Some people preferred electric power
production by nuclear plants. Compared to thermal power plants, nuclear plants can
reduce environmental pollution and operate with a small amount of fuel. Expectations for nuclear power stalled temporarily after the accident at the Chernobyl power
plant in 1986. However, in the 1990s, a construction boom of nuclear power plants
began, in support of economic development in developing countries such as China,
resulting in a reduction in criticisms of nuclear power. Even after the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, primary energy demands in developing countries remain high, and it is unlikely that nuclear power phaseout will be achieved
globally.
The impact of nuclear accidents is not limited to single countries; influences on
peripheral countries should be considered. Hence, even if Japan successfully phases
out nuclear power, risks of impacts arising from nuclear accidents in South Korea
and China cannot be excluded. There are many nuclear power plants in East Asia
(China National Nuclear Corporation 2014; Japan Atomic Energy Agency 2014;
Korea Electric Power Corporation 2014). In order to protect people from nuclear
accidents, it is essential to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants both domestically and internationally. In this chapter, we analyze trends in nuclear accidents to
provide insight to the design of an East Asia nuclear security system.
11.2 Previous Analyses of Accidental Events at Nuclear
Power Plants
In Japan-US Comparative Analysis of Nuclear Power Plant Operating Rates and
Trouble Incidence Rates (Kainou 2009), accidents at nuclear power plants in Japan
and the United States from 1999 to 2008 are analyzed. The “trouble” here covers all
200
W. Zhou et al.