From atomic bombings to Fukushima, Japan pursues a nuclear future despite a devastating past; For Fukushima’s displaced, a struggle to recover lives torn apart by nuclear disaster — Democracy Now!

Part 1: From atomic bombings to Fukushima, Japan pursues a nuclear future despite a devastating past

In this first video, Amy Goodman interviews Sophia University Professor Koichi Nakano and David McNeill, Tokyo-based journalist and author of Strong in the Rain: Surviving Japan’s Earthquake, to discuss the implications of Shinzo Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine and the new state secrets bill, the current Japanese administration’s shift toward nuclear power, the safety concerns of Tokyo Electric’s decontamination, decommissioning and spent fuel removal process, the recruiting of Japanese homeless workers, and the health concerns with exposure to radiation and consuming contaminated fish.

The video and full transcript is available HERE.

Part 2: For Fukushima’s displaced, a struggle to recover lives torn apart by nuclear disaster

In this second video, Amy Goodman interviews Atsushi Funahashi, director of Nuclear Nation, a documentary about the refugees of Futaba, a small town where part of the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is located.

The segment starts at 46:35. View the video HERE.

Part 3: Former mayor of Futaba talks about Fukushima refugees; Safecast founder records radiation levels

In her third interview series, Amy Goodman interviews the former mayor of Futaba, Katsutaka Idogawa, to discuss the plight of the town’s citizens and his opposition to nuclear energy. She also interviews several anti-nuclear activists who have been protesting in front of the Japanese prime minister’s official residence as well as Pieter Franken, founder of safecast.org, a volunteer organization that independently monitors radiation levels throughout the streets of Japan.

Fukushima information starts at 11:00 in the video HERE.