Hello!
Today We will be writing about the Global People’s Action that I took part in at Yokosuka on June 26th!
Front left：Oota Hiroki, Front right：Hiroto Inoue
– Why did you participate?
Hiroto Inoue・Second year University student
Because I wanted to see with my own eyes the problems and social movements occurring at the Yokosuka Coal Fired Power Plant!
You hear a lot about coal when you work with environmental issues.
For example…
– Coal fired power plants are speeding up climate change! We need to shift from coal to renewables!
– Japan is the second largest country to invest in coal power plants.
– Let’s divest away from financial institutions that invest in coal fired power plants!
And so on…
However, living in Tokyo, these coal fired power plants have always seemed to be at arm’s length, distant and difficult to perceive its impacts and truly understand the severity of the problem.
I wonder what the situation is in Yokosuka, a city not far from where I live? I wonder who are the people participating in these social movements? These were the questions I wanted answered, and curiosity led me to join!
Center left：Hiroto Inoue, Center right：Oota Hiroki
– Thoughts on participating
Oota Hiroki・Third year University student
I simply question why Japan is building new coal fired power plants, when the rest of the world is clearly pushing away from coal and transitioning to renewables.
Just as the majority of those living in Tokyo imagine, Yokosuka’s air and natural environment was undoubtedly clean. If you’re talking about dirtying the city, there needs to be proper purpose and reason, as well as significant consideration for all aspects involved.
Also, having an opportunity to meet all those opposed to coal fired power plants and projects is truly valuable, and being able to talk to them about their thoughts and opinions was insightful, beyond anything. I believe that there are a large amount of people who, though not fully aware of coal fired power plants and the situation the world and Japan are placed in, believe that coal is not good for the environment.
I will continue to talk about this experience in order for those people to take up action and join the opposition.
– Thoughts on participating
Hiroto Inoue・Second year University student
June 26 turned out to be an amazing opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, and meet wonderful people. In addition, it was an eye opening experience in learning about how coal fired power plants interact with the natural environment and surrounding inhabitants, and pose a serious threat to their daily lives.
It was a bright sunny day, with a nice, calming sea breeze.
Many apartment complexes stood within proximity to the power plant, with a beautiful ocean and natural environment at its fingertips.
In participating at the lunch meetings and gatherings afterwards and talking with the locals, I realized that the warm-hearted people involved in the social movements truly love their hometown and the nature that it provides! I immediately fell in love with the people and nature of Yokosuka.
It seems that the Yokosuka Coal fired power plant has not been active in the past 10 years. However, if the JERA plans proceed according to its current scheduled plan, the power plant will see an augmentation on its capabilities and run once again, endangering the daily lives the surrounding inhabits enjoy.
In light of what I saw and experienced, I strongly felt that JERA, who is pushing for the restarting of the power plant, and the Japanese government are in the wrong. I definitely do not want Yokosuka’s nature and people to suffer for the sole profit of a particular user group. And, to minimize the damage to people not only in Yokosuka but around the world brought about by climate change, it is imperative that coal fired power plants be shut down.
We should act together to ensure that we can live the lives we do today.
I pray that Yokosuka remains the beautiful it is today.
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