Nuclear Power and Fukushima Finances 4

Building Boxes, No Alternate Funding Source

In the late 1970s, the towns of Tomioka and Naraha went on a building spree. Recreation halls, lodging centers, roads, schools, sewers ... all built with "Electric Power Money." Tomioka and Naraha share Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant. Younger residents urged them to think 20 or 30 years in the future - but the office directing regional development using the grants didn't listen.

Nuclear Power and Fukushima Finances 3

Mutual Dependence & Mutual Profit


Over its 45-year lifespan, a nuclear power reactor will bring in about 121.5 billion yen (about $1.6 billion at 78 yen/dollar) in government subsidies to the prefecture and municipalities around its location. This funding system is deeply entwined in the region.

Nuclear Power and Fukushima Finances 1

Fukushima Prefecture has decided to rid itself of nuclear power. But, being home to electrical power plants, notably nuclear power plants, is an important source of government funds. Under the Three Power Source Development Laws, localities that are home to electric power plants, particularly nuclear power plants receive grants and taxes based on the amount generated among other factors. They also tax nuclear fuel and receive property and income taxes.

A third of Namie, Fukushima, residents will not return

A survey of town citizens by the town of Namie, Fukushima, found that a third of its evacuated residents do not plan to return.

Essentially all of Namie's residents evacuated following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The survey was distributed to 18,448 of 24,200 evacuated residents in November. Of these, 10,487 (56.8%) responded. Of these, 43.7% answered that they would return if infrastructure is restored and if other residents return "to some degree." Another 15.7% would return if radiation declines and infrastructure is restored, and 5% would return if the evacuation zone is lifted. A full 32.5% responded that they will not return.



Sources:

1) Nihon Keizai Shimbun, North Kanto Edition, 2011 Dec 3, pl 38

53 of 59 Fukushima Prefecture mayors support getting rid of nuclear power

In a poll of Fukushima Prefecture mayors conducted between June 29 and July 7, the Fukushima Minpo found that 53 of 59 supported Governor Sato's call for ridding the prefecture of nuclear power. Of the remaining 6 mayors, those of Date, Tamagawa, Naraha, and Iitate were noncommittal. The mayor of Koriyama did not respond.

Source:

Fukushima Minpo, online edition, 2011-7-8, http://www.minpo.jp/view.php?pageId=4147&newsMode=article&blockId=9863856 (accessed 2011-7-13)