Jinzaburo Takagi (Environmental activist) - January 2001

Jinzaburo Takagi (Environmental activist) - January 2001

Widely known as an environmental activist who has spoken out about the risks of nuclear power, Jinzaburo Takagi has been working on nuclear energy issues since the 1970s, particularly pointing out the health hazards of radiation and the dangers of nuclear accidents caused by earthquakes. In his book "When Birds Fly," he called for a review of energy policy, highlighting the risks of operating nuclear power plants and the inadequate management of radioactive waste. His activities have become a symbol of the movement away from nuclear power generation and have had a significant impact on Japanese society.

Current Status in the 2020s

In the 2020s, Jinzaburo Takagi's alarm bells have not faded. In particular, Japan's energy policy has reached a turning point since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in 2011. The accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant spread radioactive cesium-137 over a wide area, causing many areas, especially in Fukushima Prefecture, to become evacuation zones. Due to the accident, people are still unable to live in the "difficult-to-return zones" where the concentration of radioactive materials is high.

Since the Fukushima accident, interest in renewable energy has increased and companies are accelerating their energy policy initiatives. For example, Softbank has established "SB Energy" to develop renewable energy and is expanding solar and wind power generation. In addition, Kyocera and Panasonic are also promoting the development of solar panels in an effort to increase energy self-sufficiency in Japan.

However, Japan's energy self-sufficiency rate as of 2020 will be only 20%, and the country remains dependent on restarting nuclear power plants. As Jinzaburo Takagi warned, nuclear power still carries risks, especially in an earthquake-prone country like Japan. The situation is such that safety concerns cannot be dispelled.

The work of Takagi Jinzaburo is still carried on today by many environmental activists and citizens' groups, and calls for a review of energy policy to achieve a sustainable society are growing stronger.