8 in 10 Japanese say nuclear disaster looms

Over half, however, believe reactors should be restarted.

A survey submitted to the Japan Atomic Energy Commission reveals many Japanese believe that another nuclear disaster is probable if the Japan’s idled reactors are restarted. The survey was conducted by Hirotada Hirose, a risk-psychology specialist and professor emeritus at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

All but two of Japan’s 50 working nuclear reactors remain shut down in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011. Efforts are being exerted by the nuclear energy sector to have these reactors restarted.

The poll’s results released to the Japan Atomic Energy Commission under the Cabinet Office showed that 23% of the 1,200 respondents in the survey said that a nuclear disaster like the one in Fukushima “will occur” if ever the idled reactors are restarted. Another 57% believeat a disaster will “probably occur.”

When asked of the probable causes for a nuclear crisis, many cited either natural disasters or terrorist attacks. And in case of something like that happening again, over 27% of respondents said the government was “completely ill-prepared” for a crisis. Another 63.8% said the steps that have been taken to reduce the risk were “not quite enough.”

A majority of the respondents or 54% said the reactors should be restarted. Most of those who believe this said that nuclear power should be phased out in the future, however.