Shukan Asahi Ridicules Government Plan to Station Senior Vice Minister at Ooi Nuke Plant: "Is That Stupid Or What?"

Shukan Asahi, a major weekly magazine in Japan, doesn't say so itself. Instead, it quotes an unnamed, high-ranking manager at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, as it has been doing since last year when reporting "insider" stories of the plant. I have no way to verify whether this high-ranking manager does exist, or whether it is Shukan Asahi's way of speaking out frankly by hiding behind a fictitious character. I'm more inclined to believe he actually exists, having read other Shukan Asahi's articles quoting this manager.

The article is in response to Prime Minister Noda and his administration's determination to restart Ooi Nuclear Power Plant, on Noda's responsibility, with safety assured by "stationing a senior vice minister" of Economy, Trade and Industry.

From Shukan Asahi June 15, 2012 issue (6/5/2012):

福島第一原発の幹部 「副大臣常駐案」に「バカなんじゃないか」

High-ranking manager at Fukushima I Nuke Plant on the plan to station a senior vice minister: "Is that stupid or what?"

野田政権が原発再稼働に動いている。いったいどういうことなのか。原発事故はいまだ収束せず、検証も対策も中途半端。原子カムラは温存されたまま、国会事故調査委員会の追及に当時の責任者たちは自己弁解を並べる。その間に、東京電力は「値上げ」を画策する――この「国家の迷走」について、福島第一原発（フクイチ）最高幹部は、憮然として次のように語る。

The Noda administration is moving toward the restart of nuclear power plants. What is going on? The nuclear accident is not over. Investigation of the accident and the countermeasures against future accidents are only halfway done. "The Nuclear Village" is intact, and in the hearings of the Diet independent investigation commission, people who were in charge at the time of the accident make excuses for themselves. TEPCO in the meantime plans for the utility fee hikes. A high-ranking manager at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant glumly comments on this "nation gone astray" as follows:

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　まだフクイチの事故が収束していないというのに、よく政府は「再稼働」などと口にできますね。

How can this government talk about "restart", when the Fuku-I nuclear accident is not over?

　政府は、現地に経済産業省の副大臣か政務官を常駐させるとしていますが、副大臣なんて何もできません。

The government says it will station either a Senior Vice Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [at Ooi Nuclear Power Plant]. But a senior vice minister cannot do anything [doesn't know anything].

　副大臣がいれば事故が起きないというのであれば、全国の原発に副大臣を駐在させればいい。この話はむしろ、副大臣のおもりをするために役人や、電力会社から人を出さなければいけないことになる。バカじゃないかと思います。

If no accident happens if a senior vice minister is there, then let senior vice ministers stay in all nuclear power plants in the country. This talk [of stationing them at Ooi Nuclear Power Plant so that the plant can be re-started] means some people from the ministry and the electric company [plant operator] will have to be there to babysit the senior vice minister. I think that's just stupid.

　野田（佳彦）総理は、「最終的には総理大臣である私の責任で判断する」　と言っています。どう責任を取るのでしょうか。野田総理が神様のごとく原発事故を防げる、抑えられるなら、誰も苦労はしません。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is saying "In the end, I will decide on my responsibility as the prime minister." What responsibility? If Prime Minister Noda, like a god, could prevent a nuclear accident from happening, we would have no worry.

　事故発生当時のトップだった菅（直人前首相）さんは、何の責任も取っていないじゃないですか。官房長官だった枝野（幸男）さんも同様です。先日あった国会事故調査委員会（国会事故調）の事情聴取の様子からも、この"無責任体質"がよくわかります。

Mr. Kan (former Prime Minister Naoto Kan) was at the top when the accident happened. He hasn't taken any responsibility, has he? Same with Mr. Edano, who was Chief Cabinet Secretary. From the hearings of the Diet independent investigation commission, their "irresponsibility" is very clear.

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