Prof. Yuasa''s lecture

Nuclear Power and Modernity: the Fukushima Disaster from a Sociological Perspective

Description:
On 11 March, 2011, the Great East Japan earthquake hit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The impact of the accident on the society is huge, but radical transformation of the nuclear policies is not evident. In June 2012, the government decided to resume operation of the Ooi nuclear power plants. The lecture gives an overview of factors preventing radical change in the Japanese nuclear energy policies. There are political, economical and cultural factors at the local, national and international levels. By mapping them, I will argue that Japanese nuclear power plants are deeply embedded into the web of Japanese social institutions, which are based on modern values and ideologies. Although those institutions were constructed under unique historical circumstances, they entail some universal problems, which have led to modern genocide, including that of Hiroshima.

Objective:
This lecture explains Japanese nuclear power stations as a modern institution embodying modern values and ideologies. Students are encouraged to think about reasons why nuclear catastrophes have continued to occur all over the world.

Recommended Readings:
*Masae Yuasa, "Future of August 6th 1945: A case of 'peaceful utilization' of nuclear energy in Japan", The Study of Time, Forthcoming.
*Masae Yuasa, "Remembering Peace in Palestine and Hiroshima", Hiroshima and Peace, 2010.
*IPPNW poster exhibition, 'Hibakusha Worldwide', http://www.ippnw-students.org/Japan/hibakushamap.html

Recommended you tube videos *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYQNd2ybiDg&feature=player_embedded
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oryOrsOy6LI (Japanese and English)
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MamCxhQ-C1Y (French)

Name: YUASA Masae

Present Post and Title: Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Hiroshima City University

Final Education: the University of Sheffield (UK), Ph.D.

Specialized Field: Sociology

Recent Publications:
*Masae Yuasa, "Future of August 6th 1945: A case of 'peaceful utilization' of nuclear energy in Japan", The Study of Time, Forthcoming.
Masae Yuasa, 2012, "Living in Pain after 3.11", the Absurd World, Nevertheless. (Annual Bulletin of the Japan Society for Studies of Volunteer Activities): 68-77.

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