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In San Francisco and Tokyo, Demonstrators Call for an End to Nuclear Energy

by Ruth Robertson
At the same time anti-nuke protesters rallied in front of the Japanese consulate in San Francisco, a major demonstration was held in Tokyo. In both cities protesters called for safety over economic concerns. One demonstrator in San Francisco, addressing the crowd in both Japanese and English, said that the US needs to stop pushing the development of nuclear plants in Japan. "In some ways," she said, "Japan is like a colony of the US."
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Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has called for a nuclear power plant located near an earthquake fault-line in Hamaoka to suspend its operations. The operator of the plant, Chubu Electric Power Company, is refusing to follow the government's demand. Hamaoka is approximately 100 miles southwest of Tokyo.

At least a thousand demonstrators marched through the streets of Tokyo on May 8 to call for the abolition of all nuclear power in Japan. (Crowd estimates will likely be higher than the initially reported 1,000 plus). Demonstrators praised Prime Minister Naoto Kan's call to shut down the reactor in Hamaoka. They said this marks the first time a prime minister has directly requested a nuclear facility be closed. Others called for the P.M. to go further, by insisting on a drastic shift in energy policy.

A shutdown at Hamaoka would run the risk of power disruptions in an area which is home to Toyota Motor Corporation and other manufacturers, but protesters said that safety should trump economic gain. In San Francisco, in addition to addressing safety concerns, demonstrators said that the US is continuing to push development of nuclear plants in Japan because it is profitable business for General Electric.

The Chubu Electric Power Company, which owns the Hamaoka nuclear plant, says it will not shut down the plant without more study and consideration by their board of directors.
§Fusako-san of Grandmothers Against War
by Ruth Robertson
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In San Francisco, Fusako adressed the crowd in front of the Japanese consulate
§A middle school teacher brought displays made by her students
by Ruth Robertson
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§crowd gathers
by Ruth Robertson
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§Woman from Greece says Greeks are worried
by Ruth Robertson
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Maria, originally from Greece, said people there are concerned because there is a nuclear power plant in nearby Bulgaria
§Mike Wong of Veterans for Peace
by Ruth Robertson
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§Signs made from paper bags
by Ruth Robertson
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Umi o mamoro'o = Save the Oceans
§Speakers from various political parties
by Ruth Robertson
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§Cheering for message from the Raging Grannies
by Ruth Robertson
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§Umi Hagitani speaks
by Ruth Robertson
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§Attentive listeners
by Ruth Robertson
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§Women with signs flash their message to drivers
by Ruth Robertson
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§Genpatsu wa mazui yo
by Ruth Robertson
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Nuclear energy sucks
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