Rising Sea Levels and the Threat to Japan’s Nuclear Plants
The Risks: Rising Seas and Nuclear Infrastructure
There is an undeniable truth that many people are aware of but few dare to address: the threat that rising sea levels, driven by global warming, pose to Japan’s nuclear power plants. While the risks are evident to anyone who has paid attention to the mounting evidence of climate change, the conversation around it remains conspicuously absent. It is as though everyone knows the threat is real, but no one wants to say it aloud. This is not just a matter of scientific conjecture; it is a clear and present danger. The real question is why this topic is not being discussed more openly and why action seems to be delayed or avoided. Are we simply ignoring the problem, or are we afraid of the uncomfortable truths that might follow?
The majority of Japan’s nuclear facilities are situated between 5 and 15 metres above sea level. Historically, this may have been deemed acceptable, but with the rapid acceleration of climate change, such assumptions are no longer reliable. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts that global sea levels will rise between 0.28 and 1.01 metres by the end of this century, with a potential rise of 2 to 3 metres over the coming millennia. Despite this, we continue to ignore the implications for nuclear power plants situated on low-lying coastal areas, in full knowledge of the looming threat. When the next great earthquake or super typhoon strikes, will we be caught unprepared? Why is this not at the forefront of our national conversation?
The evidence is there, but the question remains: why isn’t it being discussed? This is a scientific issue, but it is also a moral and political one. We must confront it openly. We can no longer pretend this problem does not exist simply because it is inconvenient or uncomfortable.
Lessons from History: The Heian Period and Rising Seas
History offers ample warnings regarding the dangers of underestimating nature’s immense power. During the Jomon Transgression, vast stretches of what are now the Osaka and Kanto plains were submerged. In the Heian period, what are today Japan’s economic and political epicentres—Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kawasaki—were little more than vulnerable coastal lowlands, frequently inundated. Ancient chronicles, such as the Wamyō Ruijushō and the Sarashina Nikki, attest to the profound shifts in Japan’s shoreline geography over the centuries. These are not abstract possibilities but rather concrete historical precedents. To disregard them is not only irresponsible; it is profoundly perilous.
The Imperative of Transparent Discourse
Having witnessed firsthand the devastation wrought by the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima, my concern for nuclear safety—particularly with respect to the existential threat posed by rising sea levels as a consequence of global warming—transcends personal apprehension. This is a matter of profound significance, not only for those who have endured such calamities but for society at large. The central question is not merely whether rising seas will imperil nuclear power plants along Japan’s coastline, but whether we, as a society, possess the fortitude to confront this impending crisis with both scientific acuity and the democratic spirit that upholds free speech and reasoned dialogue.
In truth, it is entirely plausible that the relevant authorities are already taking effective measures, and as a private citizen, I may simply be unaware of these actions or lack the requisite knowledge to be fully informed. Nevertheless, the pressing challenge remains: we must engage in transparent discourse. We must scrutinise the evidence, weigh the risks, and ensure that all voices are heard so that informed, collective decisions may be reached. Our commitment must lie in a democratic process founded on intellectual honesty—where differences are resolved through dialogue rather than coercion—and in a continual effort to overcome prejudice and injustice. As we face these challenges, let us do so with courage and resolve, ensuring that we leave no negative legacy—be it in the long-term storage of nuclear waste or the perpetuation of societal injustices—and that we remain steadfast in building a better future for the generations to come.