Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
5.1.2.
The lack of official information
The available data on radiation from public authorities
and TEPCO was particularly scarce. Moreover, when they
did publish information, they did so in a format which made
the data difficult to view and re-use. Although TEPCO
published a daily press release from 11 March 2011 onward
(which reported on the levels of radiation in the concerned
power stations), the company failed to provide real-time
updates on the radiation measurements at the power
station
4
. The government also faced difficulties in monitoring
the development of the situation real-time. Radiation in
Japan is measured through a sensor network called
SPEEDI
5
, which is directed by the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, or MEXT. The
MEXT is in charge of providing data to the Japanese
government. The management of the SPEEDI data by the
government has been criticized for various reasons. In the
first days after the accident, the online map which geo-
located the data on radiation indicated that the Miyagi and
Fukushima districts were “Under Survey” (see Figure 5.1)
6
.
The sensors of the SPEEDI network in those regions were
said to be too damaged by the tsunami to provide data
7
.
However, besides all the technical and logistic reasons for
delaying the publishing of the data from SPEEDI, Toshiso
4 During the months of March and April 2011, the daily broadcasts
reported on the levels of radiation recorded on March 15, March 17,
April 2, April 10, April 17 and April 22 2011. In between those dates, the
press releases do not indicate any change in the situation since the last
measurement or in fact any numbers regarding radiation. See “TEPCO
official press releases page”, www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/
index1103-e.html.
5 www.bousai.ne.jp/eng.
6 www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/world/asia/09japan.html?_r=3&page
wanted=2.
7 www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/world/asia/09japan.html?_r=3&page
wanted=2.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search