Fukushima Fallout: Thousands Protest Against Nuclear Power in Japan | Common Dreams

Fukushima Fallout: Thousands Protest Against Nuclear Power in Japan | Common Dreams

Published on Saturday, January 14, 2012 by Common Dreams

Fukushima Fallout: Thousands Protest Against Nuclear Power in Japan

- Common Dreams staff

Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets of Yokohama, Japan on Saturday afternoon calling for an end to nuclear energy in Japan after the Fukushima March 11, 2011 disaster that sparked the planet's worst atomic crisis since Chernobyl. The protest began a 2-day conference committed to fostering global momentum against atomic power.

Anti-nuclear activists hold placards during a rally against nuclear energy in Yokohama, Japan. Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets of Yokohama on Saturday calling for an end to nuclear energy. Radiation fears have become part of daily life in Japan after cases of contaminated water, beef, vegetables, tea and seafood.They marched in the port city southwest of Tokyo chanting in chorus: "We don't need nuclear power. Give back our hometown. Protect our children."

The Japan Times reports:

YOKOHAMA — A two-day antinuclear conference kicked off Saturday in Yokohama with the aim of sharing lessons from the Fukushima crisis and fostering global momentum against atomic power.

"Nuclear power plants are all over the world. In order to deal with this issue, we must create a global network," said Tatsuya Yoshioka, director of the nongovernmental organization Peace Boat, during the opening ceremony for the Global Conference for a Nuclear Power-Free World.