2f:T557,### Environmental and Economic Challenges The primary concern revolves around the potential for radioactive materials to enter the human food chain through seafood consumption. An ecological concept, [biomagnification](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/biomagnification), suggests that substances (especially toxins) in an organism would accumulate as it ingests other organisms. This concept also applies here: while the treated water is said to meet international safety standards, the long-term accumulation and biomagnification of certain isotopes raise concerns about increased cancer risks and other health issues over time. Also, the decision to release radioactive water could exacerbate the economic damage to [local fisheries](https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/23178/1006975.pdf?sequence=1#page=42) and [tourism](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1447677015301091), two industries that were already hard hit by the disaster itself. One of their most important markets, China, has been [banning seafood from Japan](http://gdfs.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/2480148/5274475/index.html) while [increasing imports from 10 other countries](https://www.capital.de/wirtschaft-politik/wegen-kuehlwasser-einleitung--china-straft-japans-fischexporte-ab-33765004.html) since August 24, 2023.30:[{"id":"0b9afb01d2748aa70ae767c20f0edde298661901011a14a57e49cf5384d5636f64365615ca3999f7011e5da7d268c659fce4ecd92eb6520f922c4790337c3db4","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/0b9afb01d2748aa70ae767c20f0edde298661901011a14a57e49cf5384d5636f64365615ca3999f7011e5da7d268c659fce4ecd92eb6520f922c4790337c3db4","name":"earthquakes_japan@1.csv","type":"text/csv","lastModified":1708922280032.623,"size":6760},{"id":"4da543e5dafdcef8a6d7c2a84e290957e9f175c5851099825f206ad44cdcec912556a6beb9b54dd22f002f27791ca3a74f160606e07737912c9ed16f485eb967","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/4da543e5dafdcef8a6d7c2a84e290957e9f175c5851099825f206ad44cdcec912556a6beb9b54dd22f002f27791ca3a74f160606e07737912c9ed16f485eb967","name":"tsunami_japan@3.csv","type":"text/csv","lastModified":1708924268993.801,"size":2718},{"id":"866a9f46bbebb53253fd7856a7b2ae31d05eec883ea4eafb718b72dcd448ba6316fdfd3de325f6e3e4e06b70f779bb11db088ef75a0368e641db46dd850a6cfe","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/866a9f46bbebb53253fd7856a7b2ae31d05eec883ea4eafb718b72dcd448ba6316fdfd3de325f6e3e4e06b70f779bb11db088ef75a0368e641db46dd850a6cfe","name":"Earth-plate-movement-tectonic-plates-directions-euraisian-pacific-african.webp","type":"image/webp","lastModified":1708930501220.156,"size":165926},{"id":"afe8d751ca42feb003e282be577100b57a6f595ec1ff1b44a52c03532337d298295fa043d4854f4108490fdf9c6dc00bcb475589bcf61153dd776d61f7d60245","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/afe8d751ca42feb003e282be577100b57a6f595ec1ff1b44a52c03532337d298295fa043d4854f4108490fdf9c6dc00bcb475589bcf61153dd776d61f7d60245","name":"image@5.png","type":"image/png","lastModified":1709767743232.223,"size":8181652},{"id":"2b6422c2fb734eeb23528eabf5f06375119c56d8b67d8ec895b86b361f204d07d10a99931dcf7e2646065aa423d5057c0439c33666cbe19369249d2ca3c33c4a","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/2b6422c2fb734eeb23528eabf5f06375119c56d8b67d8ec895b86b361f204d07d10a99931dcf7e2646065aa423d5057c0439c33666cbe19369249d2ca3c33c4a","name":"image@3.png","type":"image/png","lastModified":1709758545160.637,"size":1248295},{"id":"6f762452f8ef86ba9a92ecf36a737088ac0dd1a77c5375da8a894939c6b11928d60d7b8bcb50f83c9d159344fbfd965a17c3b2dc77b5d258479a1e1e4c67408d","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/6f762452f8ef86ba9a92ecf36a737088ac0dd1a77c5375da8a894939c6b11928d60d7b8bcb50f83c9d159344fbfd965a17c3b2dc77b5d258479a1e1e4c67408d","name":"image@4.png","type":"image/png","lastModified":1709759653543.338,"size":1420709},{"id":"cb74d823cf8fff6d67537491afcab826bc7b6db91ed1a00a1673f8f4ff7af0f6ef1818c9bff38265c04d714d00a2ed6ce00bf17cbabba67f67dec9bd2b16770c","href":"https://static.observableusercontent.com/files/cb74d823cf8fff6d67537491afcab826bc7b6db91ed1a00a1673f8f4ff7af0f6ef1818c9bff38265c04d714d00a2ed6ce00bf17cbabba67f67dec9bd2b16770c","name":"image.png","type":"image/png","lastModified":1709278493348.342,"size":3521711}] 2d:{"title":"Unraveling the Fukushima Saga: Geophysical Forces, Human Decisions, and the Future of Our Oceans","cells":[{"id":121,"value":"# Unraveling the Fukushima Saga: Geophysical Forces, Human Decisions, and the Future of Our Oceans\n_As the Japanese government announced the controversial decision in 2023 to release radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean, they faced strong opposition from Japanese environmental activists, neighboring countries, and the international public. Where does this water originate from? What are the stories behind this decision? _","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":136,"value":"## The Geophysical Prelude: _The Force Underneath_","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":141,"value":"### The Plate Tectonics\n[_Plate tectonics_](https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/plate-tectonics/) is a widely accepted scientific theory explaining the formation of major continents on Earth. It suggests that Earth consists of major plates that are constantly moving, either moving closer to each other or moving away from each other. Although the process itself is barely visible to humans, it can potentially create visible natural events like earthquakes.","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":193,"value":"md`

\n_Major Tectonic Plates Map_ (Source of Image: [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/science/plate-tectonics))`","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":147,"value":"### The \"Destined\" Earthquake Zone - _Japan's Special Geographical Location_\nJapan sits on top of multiple converging tectonic plates that constantly grind together (which can be seen from the above map). Therefore, Japan is a country with frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activities. To illustrate the frequency of such natural disasters in Japan, below are two diagrams showing major earthquakes in Japan since 1950 and major tsunamis in Japan since 1700. ","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":175,"value":"#### Figure 1: Major Earthquakes in Japan Since 1950\nData Source: [WorldData.info](https://www.worlddata.info/asia/japan/earthquakes.php)
\n_Hover over a circle to see details._","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":44,"value":"vl.markCircle({clip: true})\n .data(earthquakeData)\n .encode(\n vl.size().fieldQ('Magnitude')\n .scale({domain: [1, 10]})\n .legend({title: 'Magnitude'}),\n vl.x().fieldT('Date')\n .title('Date'),\n vl.y().fieldQ('Magnitude')\n .scale({domain:[0, 10]})\n .title('Magnitude'),\n vl.color().fieldQ('Deaths')\n .scale({scheme: 'reds', domain: [0, 1500]})\n .title('Fatalities'),\n vl.tooltip([\n {field: 'Region',\n type: 'nominal',\n title: 'Region'},\n {field: 'Depth',\n type: 'quantitative',\n title: 'Depth (in km)'},\n {field: 'Magnitude',\n type: 'quantitative',\n title: 'Magnitude'},\n {field: 'Deaths',\n type: 'quantitative',\n title: 'Fatalities'}\n ])\n )\n .render();","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":178,"value":"#### Figure 2: Major Tsunamis in Japan Since 1700\nData Source: [WorldData.info](https://www.worlddata.info/asia/japan/tsunamis.php)
\n_Hover over a bar to see details._","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":93,"value":"vl.markBar({clip: true})\n .data(tsunamiData)\n .encode(\n vl.x().fieldT('Date')\n .title('Date')\n .scale({domain: ['1700/01/01', '2020/01/01']}),\n vl.y().fieldQ('WaveHeight')\n .title('Maximum Height of Wave (in meters)'),\n vl.color().fieldQ('Fatalities')\n .scale({scheme: 'reds', domain: [0, 20000]})\n .title('Fatalities'),\n vl.tooltip([\n {field: 'WaveHeight',\n type: 'quantitative',\n title: 'Maximum Height of Wave (in meters)'},\n {field: 'Fatalities',\n type: 'quantitative',\n title: 'Fatalities'},\n {field: 'Cause',\n type: 'nominal',\n title: 'Cause'},\n ])\n )\n .width(400)\n .render();","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":153,"value":"## The Catastrophe: _How is the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Co-produced_","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":164,"value":"### An Unfortunate Trigger\nOn March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck Honshu, Japan's largest and most populous island. The earthquake unleashed a devastating tsunami, overwhelming the Fukushima plant's defenses by shutting off the plants and their cooling systems, causing [three cores to melt](https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-daiichi-accident.aspx) and the release of radioactive matter.\n\n(_We can see from the above charts that both the earthquake and the tsunami have been the most serious ones in Japan over the past few decades._)","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":500,"value":"md`

\n_Aftermath_\n(Source of image: [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/event/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011))`","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":293,"value":"### Direct Impact and the Aftermath\nThe Fukushima nuclear accident was categorized as an [INES](https://www.iaea.org/resources/databases/international-nuclear-and-radiological-event-scale) Level-7 accident, which is the only one in this category other than the [Chernobyl accident](https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx). The accident resulted in a serious public health crisis, even though it only directly caused minor deaths or injuries. According to relevant research, the accident not only [increased thyroid cancer risk](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212534513000841) for people who were exposed to the radiation but also caused [chronic mental health and social problems](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28330398/).","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":159,"value":"### Whom to Blame? _The Human Side of the Accident_\nTypically, such accidents are often attributed to the effects of natural disasters. In this instance, though, it seems that human actions play a substantial role.\n\nAccording to the National Academies Press's comprehensive analysis in [_Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety of U.S. Nuclear Plants_](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK253923/), there were numerous human-made safety hazards at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: lack of training among staff, delay in delivering information, and unpreparedness for a flood in terms of protecting crucial on-site equipment.","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":408,"value":"md`

\n_Exclusion Zone _\n(Source of image: [Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/000f864e-22ba-11e8-add1-0e8958b189ea))`","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":478,"value":"What is more, [over 2000 people died](https://www.ft.com/content/000f864e-22ba-11e8-add1-0e8958b189ea) due to the large-scale, rushed, and poorly organized evacuation. [Some research](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957582017300782) even suggested that it caused more harm to evacuate people than not to, since \"_no relocation was justified on scientific and economic grounds after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi._\" Also, [another research article](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0936655516000054) suggested that the \"_collapsed radiation emergency medical system_\" increased mortality among Fukushima residents, especially elderly people and people who relied on public healthcare support. It also caused long-term psychological and physical impacts on evacuated residents. ","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":170,"value":"## Water Discharged, Now What? The Future of Our Oceans","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":266,"value":"### A Temporary Solution\nIn facing the dilemma of limited storage space and the ongoing need to manage the plant, the Japanese government's decision to release treated radioactive water into the ocean has sparked a global debate. Although [approved by the IAEA](https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/japans-discharge-of-alps-treated-water-in-line-with-international-safety-standards-new-iaea-task-force-report-confirms), this decision faced [numerous oppositions from environmental activists in Japan and people from its neighboring countries](https://www.reuters.com/pictures/demonstrators-protest-japans-release-fukushima-wastewater-2023-08-22/), primarily due to the uncontrollable long-term risks brought by this decision.","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":519,"value":"md`

\n_Korean Protestors_\n(Source of Image: [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66106162))`","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":302,"value":"$2f","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":524,"value":"md`

\n_Fisherman in Fukushima_\n(Source of Image: [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/16/fukushima-fisherman-fear-for-future-over-release-of-radioactive-water))`","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":441,"value":"The future of our oceans hangs in the balance. The Japanese government showed a lack of environmental responsibility in their actions and decisions before, during, and after the accident. Japan has more than 30 nuclear power plants right now, which [ranks 5th](https://www.statista.com/statistics/267158/number-of-nuclear-reactors-in-operation-by-country) among all countries in terms of the number of nuclear power plants. Considering the size of the islands and Japan's special geographical location, it poses a significant threat to people in Japan and its neighboring countries. In order to build a more sustainable future for the ocean and the human race, the Japanese government must seriously consider applying additional safety measures or shifting to alternative sources of power.","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":249,"value":"## _Imports_","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"md"},{"id":40,"value":"tsunamiData = FileAttachment(\"tsunami_japan@3.csv\").csv({typed: true})","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":42,"value":"earthquakeData = FileAttachment(\"earthquakes_japan@1.csv\").csv({typed: true})","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"},{"id":6,"value":"import {vl} from \"@vega/vega-lite-api-v5\"","pinned":false,"hidden":false,"mode":"ojs"}],"files":"$W30","stdlib":"1","titling":"auto"}