More foreign help needed, Abe says

October 6, 2013

Abe seeks more foreign help in containing Fukushima crisis

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131006p2g00m0fp020000c.html

KYOTO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday sought more foreign assistance in containing the crisis at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, where decommissioning work that will go on for decades has been plagued by a series of contaminated water leaks.

"My country needs your knowledge and expertise" in coping with the aftermath of the nuclear accident triggered by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Abe said in a speech in English at an international science conference hosted by the city and the prefecture of Kyoto.

"We are wide open to receive the most advanced knowledge from overseas to contain the problem," he said.

Abe also said the Japanese government plans to start hosting a separate annual forum on technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emission from next year.

The first such forum will be held on Oct. 7 and 8 next year in Tokyo.

Abe: Japan wants advice on water leaks

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131006_18.html

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan wants to obtain advanced knowledge from other countries for use in preventing leaks of contaminated water at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Abe made the remark at the opening ceremony of the 10th annual meeting of the Science and Technology in Society forum in Kyoto on Sunday.

Abe called the Fukushima Daiichi accident a "bitter lesson". He called on participants at the forum to contribute in their most advanced knowledge for use in coping with problems at the plant, including radioactive water leaks.

The prime minister also referred to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. He said Japan can contribute its carbon fiber technology to help achieve the goal of cutting the world's greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050.

Carbon fibers are light and strong and can reduce the weight of cars and aircraft to save on gas.

More than 1,000 researchers and politicians from about 100 countries and regions are taking part in the 3-day conference.

Discussions focus on the theme "The Lights and Shadows of Science and Technology". Topics include climate change and energy issues.

Oct. 6, 2013 - Updated 05:51 UTC