Current Issues Discussed
Author: Philemon Rambaj
Intercultural Communication Student
In the light of the meltdown of the nuclear reactors in Fukushima Japan the Japanese government stated that the explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi No. 3 reactor was not much to worry about. Officials said the inner reactor container remained intact, but this information should be taken with a large grain of salt – the Japanese government has a fairly extensive track record of covering up its nuclear accidents and mishaps. In 2003, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) shut down seventeen (17) plants because the company had falsified records pertaining to a series of accidents that pale in comparison to what is now unfolding at Fukushima and other nuclear power plants in the country. It shows that the government always tries to deny their actions pertaining to these mishaps.
One day after the devastating 8.9 earthquake followed by massive tsunamis ravaged the eastern coast of Japan; the Japanese government told its citizens that the possibility of a nuclear meltdown was impossible. Then five days later, the Japanese nuclear agency raised the danger rating of the nuclear crises from Level 4 to Level 5, out of 7. This clearly shows the culture of the government. Then on March 29 2011, the Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, told his country that the country was in a state of maximum alert over the high-level radiation that was leaking from the plant. It shows how powerful these man-made materials are and that if something goes wrong how it can affect everyone. The effects of the meltdown are catastrophic since it can be transported via air to crops, animals and water which can be then spread all over and even abroad. The government of Japan knew the consequences of the meltdown and refused to lay it out on the table to the people.
Trinidad and Tobago is not ready for a natural disaster or man-made disaster. Trinidad and Tobago has not been affected by the above in a while but that does not mean one cannot occur at any given time. Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago are on the same seismic plate boundary, which makes our chances of being hit by an earthquake the same as Haiti. Trinidad and Tobago does not have a Building Code that is mandatory by law. It is imperative that Government establish as a high priority, a mandatory National Building Code with clear hazard values for earthquakes and hurricanes, which must be strictly enforced by all approving agencies. Also, if someone released some toxic substance in the air, patients can die waiting for treatment in our hospitals because of the poor medical system in our country. It shows that we are not ready and must be prepared in case of emergencies. Our government needs to implement disaster stations all over Trinidad and Tobago, as well as have properly trained experts working too quickly diagnose situations as they arise. The government also needs to quickly create plans for dealing with both man-made and natural disasters before we end up like Haiti or Japan.
Author: Donna-Marie Headley
Interpersonal Communication Student
The human family is a resilient one. Survivors of natural disasters from the Bubonic Plague to the latest Tsunami that occurred in Japan have proven this. When the earthquake took place in Haiti, it was thought that because Haitians were accustomed to hardship, that they would be naturally resilient. There might actually be some truth to that thought. Japan however, is considered to be one of the richest countries in the world. It would be automatic to assume then, that the Japanese are a people who would not be accustomed to economic hardship as has been introduced by the current wave of disasters that they are experiencing. Yet their interpersonal communication among themselves speaks with assurance of resilience.
This is not the first earthquake Japan has experienced. There were others that killed more people than in this last disaster. Nevertheless, what is happening right now has definitely placed them into survival mode. Japan is located in the sea. It is made up of a chain of islands. It is an archipelago that is located in a dangerous part of the ocean because many oceanic plates meet right under Japan. Instead of moving though, the government has made efforts to be the most prepared nation for earthquake disasters. Currently the Japanese people are speaking out as clearly as they can. Officials, especially those dealing with the nuclear disaster that has resulted from the earthquake and tsunami, have been explicit in what has been happening on the plant. Those in other countries such as the United States of America recently criticized Japan’s leveling of this nuclear disaster with that of Chernobyl 25 years ago. Yet Japan, risks worsening diplomatic relations with China and South Korea who have already been critical of Japan’s decision to empty nuclear waste into the sea.
Remembering that Asians communicate differently compared to Westerners, what they are attempting to do should be appreciated. Meanwhile other countries are rethinking their position on nuclear energy. According to two prominent Japanese reporters, “Policymakers worldwide are reevaluating their commitment to nuclear power, a carbon-free generation source, after the magnitude-9 temblor and tsunami on March 11 crippled Tokyo Electric’s nuclear plant in Fukushima. Investment in so-called clean energy, including wind, solar and bio fuels, totaled $243 billion last year" (Yamazaki & Ito). Some of the countries that said they are looking at clean energy such as Solar, wind and turbine energy include China, India and Britain. Indian scientists have called the current nuclear disaster in Japan “a wake up call”. Products such as electric cars now face an uncertain future due to this disaster as reported from Singapore by BBC’s reporter, Puneet Pal Singh. Jan Haverkamp of the Netherlands, Greenpeace Limited, has stated that “it is time to move away from the dangers of nuclear energy and attempt to harness green energy. No one needs to have to deal with a nuclear disaster on top of a natural one”.
Japan remains in motion, but life as they know it will never be the same. Their resilience is a great help and their hundreds of years established rapport continues. Relations with other countries may become strained however they have been very explicit on all aspects of the actions they are taking in dealing with the current disaster.
Author: Christopher Wilson
Intercultural Communication Student
On March 11th 2011, Japan experienced an unprecedented catastrophe of 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by massive tsunamis, killing thousands and displacing over 15,000 citizens in the region of Fukushima. In addition to that, all the nuclear radio reactors have exploded putting the whole country at risk. According to the British Broadcasting Co-operation (BBC), Japan’s Prime Minister Mr. Naoto Kan stated that the amount of radioactive material released from the plant is so far still minimal. He went on to say that the plants had not been stabilized and would take a longer time due to the buildup in water pressure in the contaminated area. Notwithstanding the fact that precautionary measures are put into place to curb any contamination from enter into the sea.
In response to Japan’s natural disaster, Trinidad and Tobago is not physically nor psychologically prepared to combat such disaster in the future. Historical evidence has illustrated from both the Newsday and Guardian newspapers that the nation experienced mild disasters often times but no precautionary measures had been put into place. This is a consequence of the national culture, which is docile to environmental awareness. If Trinidad and Tobago wants to prepared for such unexpected disasters then these precautionary measures needs to be taken into consideration which are:
- The government needs to establish genuine infrastructure and sea defense in both rural and urban areas, along with seminars educating the masses how to preserve their environment.
- All housing plans and building locations need to be inspected by the government before any such operations are to be carried out.
- Parliamentary legislation should to be implemented to prohibit all illegal construction of houses in unknown locations.
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