Ever since the Fukushima nuclear power plant breakdown, I have been pointing out in my web site that openness and transparency of information is the basis of trust for any organizations, be it government or enterprises. And in the case of Fukushima I regret to say that this openness and transparency lacked to a fatal degree especially in the initial stage.
The fall of trust in Japan’s government and authority seems clear to the world, and this openness is the risk shared by all Japan Enterprises in this global world. Unfavorable rumors or misinformation about agricultural produce or industrial products, thus harming credibility of Japan (‘Fuhyo Higai’ in Japanese), basically originates from this mistrust in Japan.
To address this issue, I pointed out as the “Next Step” (Ref.1,2,3) the importance of launching a Commission/Task Force consisting of independent, international members.
I understand that some legislators recognize the importance of such processes, and their number seems to be increasing.
At this challenging timing, domestic politics is seemingly occupied by the ‘storm in a cup’, and I fear that the world is gradually spreading the notion that governance of Japan’s authority is really no good.
IAEA issued a report on the result of its investigation of Fukushima pointing out that the transparency of information and speed of briefing was fatally unsatisfactory. It is no surprise that they say so.
Such tendency of Japan was being observed internationally for some time at many arenas, but it so seems that they thought it, understandably, was a domestic problem.
However, now, people are being more aware of this weakness as they were pointed out in relation to the response of Japanese authorities to Fukushima and the investigation of that followed.
Below are the recent commentaries for your reference. I think people involved are well aware of these issues.
１．Comments by Bruno Pellaud, former Director General of IAEA (in Japanese)
２．Credibility of Yukiya Amano, Director General, IAEA , questioned (in Japanese)
３．Comments on the weakness of the Government of Japan (in Japanese)
We must swiftly move on to the next “Step” to regain trust. No matter what we do, it takes a long time to regain the trust once lost.