Greenpeace marks anniversary of Fukushima disaster

Activists from Greenpeace Indonesia wear radiation suits to commemorate the first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and to demand the government to drop their nuclear energy plans, outside Indonesia's Ministry of Research and Technology, in Jarkarta, Indonesia, March 5, 2012. Greenpeace Monday launched a week-long series of activities across South Asia for the global day of action to commemorate the upcoming first anniversary of Fukushima nuclear disaster. [Photo/Xinhua]

JAKARTA - Greenpeace on Monday launched week-long global series of activities across Southeast Asia to commemorate the first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a press statement said here.

In Indonesia, more than 100 activists wearing radiation suits paraded through some of Jakarta's most crowded locations, including train stations, bus shelters, cafes, fast food restaurants and parks, to highlight the inherent dangers of nuclear energy, before assembling in front of Indonesia's Ministry of Research and Technology to urge the government to drop their plans on nuclear energy.

In the Philippines, the mayor of Quezon City cut the ribbon to open Greenpeace's month-long 'Shadowlands' photo exhibition in the Quezon City Hall lobby, documenting the human cost of Fukushima.

In Thailand, Greenpeace activists posted large billboards at five of Bangkok's largest traffic intersections and held Fukushima photo exhibitions at each location, to remind the public of the Fukushima disaster.

Thirty activists carrying placards marched along the route and paraded through the iconic Siam Square and Central World shopping malls.

Greenpeace also launched a 'Call to Action' for the ASEAN to divert from the nuclear path it laid down in the Treaty of Bangkok and repeal the nuclear development provision in the ASEAN Energy Cooperation Plan 2010-2015.

"We invite all citizens of ASEAN member states to join Greenpeace in delivering a strong call to action to ASEAN leaders to learn from Fukushima. In order to secure a safe, clean energy future for the people of this region, they should drop their plans for nuclear energy and instead concentrate on enabling the rapid uptake of this region's abundant clean, safe, renewable energy resources," said Tara Buakamsri, campaign director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

The Fukushima memorial activities will continue throughout the week, including 'Shadowlands' exhibitions in Manila and Jakarta and the launch of Greenpeace's 'Lessons from Fukushima'report.

The report shows that it was not a natural disaster that led to the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant on Japan's east coast, but the failures of the Japanese government, regulators and the nuclear industry.

The key conclusion to be drawn from the report is that this human-made nuclear disaster could be repeated at any nuclear plant in the world, putting millions at risk.

Although nuclear plans have been delayed in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand largely due to strong public opposition following Fukushima, there is still a strong pro-nuclear industry lobby for ASEAN leaders.

"The Fukushima disaster was ultimately caused by the Japanese authorities choosing to ignore risks, and make business a higher priority than safety," said Arif Fiyanto, Climate and Energy Campaigner Greenpeace Southeast Asia in Jakarta.