原発震災 中長期の見通しも示せ

(Mainichi Japan) April 8, 2011
Clear outlook for nuclear crisis necessary for residents to move on with their lives
社説：原発震災　中長期の見通しも示せ

There appears to be no immediate end in sight for the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Never before in history has a nuclear accident dragged on for so long, leading the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) of Japan to say that the crisis has "surpassed the range and magnitude anticipated under pre-existing disaster-prevention schemes."
　原発災害は収束の時期がみえてこない。これほど長く続く原発事故は世界にも例がない。原子力安全委員会は「既存の防災対策の枠を超えている」との見方を示している。

Both Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) and the government are now at a point where they must devise and implement measures that take mid- to long-term prospects into consideration. In doing so, they must consider carefully the lives of the many people who have evacuated from communities located close to the power plant.
　東京電力も政府も、中長期的な見通しを踏まえ、さまざまな対応策を立てていく時期にきている。その際には、原発周辺から避難している多数の人々の今後の暮らしに、きちんと思いをはせてほしい。

Workers on site have their hands full trying to deal with radiation-tainted water and injecting nitrogen into the No. 1 reactor to stave off an explosion in the reactor containment vessel. Such measures, however, aim to subdue what can be characterized as "side effects" that get in the way of attempts to deal with the primary problem.
　今、現場は、汚染水対策や格納容器の爆発を防ぐための窒素封入作業に追われている。こうした作業は、事故対策を妨げる「副作用」を抑えているようなものだ。

Meanwhile, the real first step in bringing the crisis under control requires cooling the reactors down to stabilize temperatures, and stopping the leakage of radioactive materials.
　本来の事故収束の第１段階は、すべての原子炉を安定した冷却に持ち込み、放射性物質の外部への漏えいを止めることだ。

To achieve this, a closed system that removes the heat in the reactors without relying on the injection of water from an external source must be established. Ordinarily, the residual-heat-removal system installed in the reactors would carry out this task, but radiation leaks have frustrated efforts to restore the system. As such, the situation calls for discussions on possibly instituting a new heat-removal system.
　そのためには、外部から注水せずに核燃料の熱を取り除く閉じた循環系を確立しなくてはならない。通常は「残留熱除去系」がその役目を果たすが、放射性物質の汚染に阻まれ復旧作業が進まない。状況を見極め、新たな熱除去系を外から導入することも検討した方がいい。

Regardless of the cooling method, it will not be an easy job, and may take longer than the "several months" the government has predicted for a resolution.
　ただ、いずれにしても、簡単な作業ではない。数カ月という政府の見通しを上回ることもあるだろう。

Even after progress is made in this first step, we are still faced with the task of cooling spent nuclear fuel for years to come. Beyond that, moreover, lies the problem of how the reactors will be decommissioned.
　収束の第１段階が達成されても、核燃料はさらに何年も冷やし続けなくてはならない。その先には、どのように廃炉を進めるかという課題が待ち受ける。

As we find ourselves only at the beginning of a long road ahead, the government's emergency measures are no longer relevant to the current state of affairs.
　こうした長い対策の入り口にあって、政府の緊急時対応はすでに実態にあわなくなっている。

For example, because the government's advisory for residents living between a 20-kilometer and a 30-kilometer radius from the Fukushima power station was not issued with the intention of lasting for months, it is only natural that the government is now deliberating a new plan of action. The government must make a prompt decision -- that should then be thoroughly explained to residents -- and provide ongoing support for those who are affected.
　そもそも、２０～３０キロ圏内の住民に出されている屋内退避の指示は、何カ月も続くことを前提にしていない。政府が新たな指針を検討しているのは当然だ。すみやかに決定し、住民に丁寧に説明した上で、その暮らしを支えていってもらいたい。

Some residents who evacuated from homes within a 20-kilometer radius are seeking permission to return temporarily, an understandable request from people who escaped with just the clothes on their back after being hit with the triple punch of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. We hope that all safety precautions are taken to grant their wish.
　避難指示が出ている２０キロ圏内では一時帰宅の要望がある。二重三重の災害に見舞われ着の身着のままで避難した人々の願いはよくわかる。安全に十分注意しつつ、かなえたい。

In addition, local residents need to be given a mid- to long-term outlook: Will they be able to return permanently to their homes in several months' time, or will it take years? Will some residents have to prepare themselves for the possibility that they will never be able to return?
　さらに、住民にとって必要なのは、その先の中長期的な見通しだ。本当に自宅に戻れるのは数カ月後なのか、それとも数年後なのか。場合によっては再び戻れないという覚悟がいるのか。

We understand that such forecasts are difficult to make, as they are contingent upon whether or not the situation worsens, and how restoration efforts progress.
　これらの見通しは、今後、事態が悪化することがあるかどうかにも、作業の進み具合にもかかっている。予測が難しいことはわかる。

Still, unless both TEPCO and the government release forecasts that account for a margin of error, people cannot move on with their lives or plan for the future. It must not be forgotten that ambiguity -- and not bad news -- can at times deliver a stronger blow on morale.
　しかし、幅をもたせた上で、東電も政府も、見通しを語るべきだ。そうしなければ、人々は将来の生活設計が立てられない。悪い情報より、あいまいな状況が、人々の気持ちをくじくことがあるのを忘れてはならない。

毎日新聞　2011年4月8日　2時41分