Name of article: Gov’t approves JR Tokai plan to build maglev line

Link: http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/govt-approves-jr-tokai-plan-to-build-maglev-line

This article from the online newspaper, Japan Today, reports that the Japanese government has just approved the construction of an ultra-fast train using the magnetic levitation technology from Tokyo to Nagoya, despite environmental concerns.

The train will reach a top speed of more than 500 km/hour, cutting the travel time with one hour to being just 40 minutes. Construction will be undertaken in early 2015 by The Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) and is expected to be complete in 2027 and cost 5.5 trillion yen, equal to 64.3 billion Singapore dollars.

The article tells that the plan has been praised by the government for its expected massive benefits on economy, connectivity and tourism for cities along the route. However it also mentions that concerns have been raised on the environmental impacts from the construction and the long-term operational effects.  As nearly 90 per cent of the 286-kilometer travel distance will be through tunnels there will be a lot of surplus soil from the excavations, and the article both refers to the transport minister and the Environment Ministry worrying about this issue, and the environment ministry furthermore asking JR Tokai for more info on the project’s impact on groundwater running down from the mountains.

It is noteworthy that the article really does not question how the project can be approved while even the public authorities have important unanswered questions on environmental impacts. And this article is actually among the only articles describing the approved plans, which elaborates on the environmental concerns. To me, this implies that the environmentally concerns are naturally subordinated to the economic concerns in this case, which we also found in some of the large construction cases involving nuclear plants and dams.

In other sources, some people have also raised concerns that once operational, the 286 km route with only four stops on the way will accelerate the concentration of the nation’s resources and activities in Tokyo. Having learned of the decreasing population and increasing urbanization and its implications for the rural areas as well as for the average Japanese’s relation to nature, one understands this concern.

Further readings and reference points:

• Information from JR Tokai on the project: http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/others/_pdf/otherinformation-82.pdf
• Article by Tetsu Okazaki in The Japan News: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001652218
• Editorial in The Asahi Shimbun: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/views/editorial/AJ201410180020

Link: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/10/17/national/green-power-surge-reveals-contradiction-in-renewable-supply-utilities-demands/#.VEG_ifmSxqV

Article: Green power surge reveals contradiction in renewable supply, utilities’ demands

The article is about the positive growth of renewable electricity in Japan has encountered stagnation. Recently, Kyushu Electric, Okinawa Electric, Shikoku Electric, Tohoku Electric and Hokkaido Electric have announced to suspend their purchases under the feed-in-tariff (FIT) policy. To ensure the stable income of renewable energy companies, this policy requires Japan’s major power utilities to purchase all electricity which generated by green sources at certain fixed rates set by government. According to power firms, green electricity could be result in blackouts, causing by unstable output of electricity due to weather fluctuations and insufficient capacity of grid to transmit the oversupply of electricity.

From the article, it seems that Japan (especially Japanese government) is changing its image from ‘nuclear state Japan’ to ‘going green Japan’. As McCormack (2011) mentions, the struggles between Japan’s nuclear bureaucracy and civil society has entered into new era after 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident. 3 years later, Japan shows distinct growth in using renewable power and aims to achieve 30 percent of renewable energy in total electricity production by 2030. However, in the article, some people critics that these power utilities have strong desires on reopen the nuclear plants with the say that they require stable, efficient and cost-effective power supply. It shows the inconsistency of the blueprints among the nation and the region’s power utilities.

On top of that, the article shows two contradiction sides of Japan energy: green, eco-friendly and economical, profit driven. After the FIT policy was introduced, there were 11 gigawatt of renewable-power capacity (98% solar power) went online, tapping on high profit growth (Iwata 2014). As mentioned above, current grid does not have enough capacity to transmit the unstable electricity. The power utilities also claim that the demand of solar power is not as high as the expectation and question on the economic sustainability of upgrading the grid. To prompt the future of renewable energy even worse, METI has cut incentives on the solar projects in order to import fossil fuels. With the restrictions of region’s power firms, the renewable power firms might undergo a slow growth in the future.

In conclude, it could not simply assert any conclusion on the prospects of nuclear energy and renewable energy; the topic is still an ongoing debate. If the government wants to achieve the goal and assure the optimistic growth of renewable energy, it is important to ensure the stands of region’s power utilities are on the same page.

Bibliography:

Iwana, M. Oct 2014. ‘Japan to Examine Solar-Power Bottlenecks’. Retrieved from Wall Street Journal on 17 Oct 2014: http://online.wsj.com/articles/japan-to-examine-solar-power-bottlenecks-1412943664

McCormack, G. Sept 2011. ‘Hubris Punished: Japan as Nuclear State’. Synthesis/Regeneration: 56. WD Press: 39-42.

Additional Info:

Reuters. Oct 2014. ‘As Japan eyes nuclear restarts, renewables get shut out of grid’. Web link: http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/10/16/japan-solar-restrictions-idINL3N0RY0U620141016

The Asahi Shimbun. Oct 2014. ‘Editorial: Measures needed to prevent renewable energy boom from going bust’. Web link: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/views/editorial/AJ201410040038

Article: Japan’s first new geothermal power plant in 15 years to open next month

Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10701440/Japans-first-new-geothermal-power-plant-in-15-years-to-open-next-month.html

The news article announces a new geothermal power plant that is scheduled to open in April this year, Japan’s first one since 1999. The power plant is located in Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu Island, and is built by the Chuo Electric Power Co. The article states that this is just the start of a string of other geothermal projects by several companies on top of Chuo Electric alone.

In the article, Japan is represented as a nation with a rich, abundant source of geothermal energy, since Japan has many volcanoes. Yet there has been low usage of geothermal power due to strong resistance from local communities of potential sites, and many such sites are located in government-protected national parks.

Geothermal energy is considered a “green” or greener source of sustainable energy, and is commonly touted as an alternative to relying on fossil fuels. Furthermore, geothermal energy is one of the few renewable energy technologies that can supply continuous power 24 hours a day (Union of Concerned Scientists). Japan’s renewed emphasis on geothermal energy is forward-looking as it allows the supply of energy with the “lowest environmental impact possible” (Demetriou, 2014).

Critically analyzing the representation of Japan as going greener, while it is true that geothermal energy is a cleaner and greener source of energy, it has its fair share of environmental risks that are not covered in the article. The construction of geothermal power plants significantly increase the possibility of earthquakes as the land is made unstable, and the release of toxic gases and metals are associated with geothermal reservoirs (Maehlum, 2013). The impacts of the new plant, and subsequent ones being planned, on the host communities and their environment, are unknown.

Secondly, it is mentioned in the article that many plants currently planned are circumventing local opposition to geothermal plants by scaling down the size of the plant and promising to revitalize the towns. Yet many plants have plans to expand their operations after they are launched. This brings to mind Aldrich’s article in which he asserts Japanese leaders view public opinion as malleable, and seek to align public opinion with national goals (Aldrich, 2012). Similarly, the opening of geothermal plants is a venture by the industry and highly supported by the government, at the risk of ignoring local environmental concerns.

Should the industry and government go ahead with geothermal energy without sufficient safety plans and engagement with the local community to adequately inform them of possible risks, a similar ‘safety myth’ could occur in these areas with new power plants (Onishi, 2011). It remains to be seen whether this renewed emphasis on geothermal energy would be a blessing or a curse to post-Fukushima Japan.

Bibliography:

Aldrich, D. P. (2012). Networks of Power: Institutions and local residents in post-Tohoku Japan. In J. Kingston, Natural Disaster and Nuclear Crisis in Japan (pp. 127-139). London & New York: Routledge.

Demetriou, D. (2014, Mar 16). Japan’s first new geothermal power plant in 15 years to open next month. Retrieved from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10701440/Japans-first-new-geothermal-power-plant-in-15-years-to-open-next-month.html

Maehlum, M. A. (2013, June 1). Geothermal Energy Pros and Cons. Retrieved from Energy Informative: http://energyinformative.org/geothermal-energy-pros-and-cons/

Onishi, N. (2011, June 24). ‘Safety Myth’ Left Japan Ripe for Nuclear Crisis. Retrieved from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/world/asia/25myth.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Union of Concerned Scientists. How Geothermal Energy Works. Retrieved from Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.html#.VD5eoPmSwjp

Article: Fun Ways to Teach Kids Eco-Friendly Concepts

Mirai Hotaru Day (of which I loosely translate as Future Firefly Day) is an event organized by the Kitakyushu Environment Museum, said to heighten environmental awareness and to promote environmentally-friendly practices. As discussed by Kalland and Asquith (1997), nature is often polarized in two extreme ideals – domesticated and declawed or wild and bristling – with reality situating itself somewhere within the continuum. Nature as discussed within the article, and within the context of Mirai Hotaru Day, comes off as a haphazardly repackaged rawness – with talk of “global warming, nuclear energy, deforestation, pollution, toxic waste” (Kikuchi 2014).

In this representation of nature, both its destructiveness and its fragility are addressed. Acknowledging the very human faults behind environmental issues, the article claims that “teaching future generations not to repeat the mistakes we made needs a soft touch” (Kikuchi 2014). Following the driving cause and aspirations of Mirai Hotaru Day, the contents of the article, and the event, seem somewhat lacking. With reference to the muraokoshi undo movement, Moon (1997: 221) states that ‘[in] this fervent, often short-sighted and desperate desire to develop a tourist industry, anything that is thought to attract urbanites’ attention has been ‘wrapped’, advertised and sold as tourist commodities, and nature has been no exception”. Analysing the language used to advertise Mirai Hotaru Day, parallels can be drawn to the muraokoshi undo movement in its commodification of nature.

The propagandistic use of words ‘Mirai Hotaru’ is a clear case of glittering generalities and symbolic transfer. Both ‘future’ and ‘firefly’ are loaded words, aiming to evoke a sense of hope and an illusion of purity. Moon (1997: 224) posits “the existence of the insect […] as a symbol of unpolluted nature”. Further examination of Mirai Hotaru Day makes it clear that environmentalism remains prominently a form of branding.

Activities such as making kites or creating scented bath bombs from organic materials have little relation to the promotion of environmental protection. While it is arguable that soft selling the idea might be more effective with children, it can hardly be considered a ‘soft sell’ when aspects of environmental awareness are near invisible. Even the “highlight of the event […] a giant art installation resembling a starry sky, which visitors are asked to contribute to by adding their hand prints as symbols of hope for a better future” (Kikuchi 2014) presents an overly romanticized, prettied up caricature of mankind’s past interactions with nature, leaving the message lost under all its frills and fripperies.

References

Asquith, P. J. and Kalland, A. 1997. ‘Japanese Perceptions of Nature: Ideals and Illusions,’ in Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives ed. Asquith, P. J. and Kalland, A., Curzon Press, UK: 1-35.

Kikuchi, D. 2014. ‘Fun ways to teach kids eco-friendly concepts’, The Japan Times, 15 May 2014.

Moon, O. 1997. ‘Marketing Nature in Rural Japan,’ in Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives ed. Asquith, P. J. and Kalland, A., Curzon Press, UK: 221-235.

Article: Kiun-Kaku: a garden of elegant period taste

“Japanese love of nature, as well as the Japanese idea of Japanese love of nature, revolves partly around nostalgia for what are considered traditional relations with nature” (Kirby, 2011:69). This article presents a quintessential icon of what Kirby posits as “Japanese love of nature” – Japanese gardens.

The article puts forth a strong sense of tradition as it explains the changing styles of Japanese gardens throughout Japanese history from the Heian period to the 20th century. In the specific example of Kiun-kaku, its garden is seen to embody “the tastes and values of” gardens from the Meiji and Taisho period. It boasts of how this simulated environment comes into contiguity with the architecture, and how the garden departs from an art form to arrive at something that is close to nature itself. This appears to be representative of Japanese as being “both one with nature and able to act against nature from the outside” (Kalland and Asquith, 1997:10).

However, it should be noted that the Kiun-kaku, originally a private villa of a businessman, has been transformed into a tourist attraction. As gardens and green landscape become a part of tourism and attractions, it becomes an environment that is separated from people’s daily lives. It is marketed as an attraction that is not readily available and “an object to be sold as well as to be protected as some sort of ‘limited good'” (Moon, 1997:233). This ironically enhances the image of a green Japan because tourists who go to Japan visit these attractions as do the local Japanese who use these images as “mirrors” to ascertain an identity that encompasses a love for nature (Kirby, 2011:71). Yet, this gives rise to an increased distinction between what is simply an image of loving nature and actual actions that contribute to loving nature.

Another theme that is brought up in the article is the relationship of wealth and nature. In isolating this space as an attraction, this greenery is marketed as something that is appreciated only if one has the time and money to. Moreover, the intricacies of garden landscaping require space that urbanites do not have the luxury to own unless they are wealthy. Apart from gardens, material forms of nature, in general, require space which is a scarce resource in urban areas (as mentioned in the news article on the Tokyo Olympics).

In this case, Japanese gardens provide a channel for Japanese to reaffirm their love for greenery but its increasing exclusiveness to the wealthy renders it to be more of a traditional icon alluding to Japanese identity than a representation of current day Japanese attitude towards nature.

References

Kalland, Arne and Asquith, Pamela. 1997. “Japanese Perceptions of Nature: Ideals and Illusions,” in Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives, ed. Arne Kalland and Pamela Asquith, Curzon Press, UK: 1-35.

Kirby, Peter W. 2011. Troubled natures: waste, environment, Japan, University of Hawai’i Press, Honolulu.

Moon, Okpyo. 1997. “Marketing Nature in Rural Japan,” in Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives, ed. Arne Kalland and Pamela Asquith, Curzon Press, UK: 221-235.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/09/30/national/volcanic-eruption-fires-concern-about-kagoshima-reactor-restarts/

The article is regarding how the recent eruption by Mount Ontake in Nagano prefecture creating concerns about volcano eruptions in Kagoshima Prefecture that might hinder any restarting of the Nuclear reactors in Kagoshima Prefecture. This is in light of the current situation in Japan which officials are still trying to gain back public support for nuclear power and just in August 2014, 2 reactors in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture was given the green light by Nuclear Regulatory Authority to be restarted.

The article mentioned that Kyushu Electric says that the eruption by Mount Ontake should not affect the decision to restart the nuclear reactors as the safety measures implemented are prepared for larger scale eruption as compared to Mount Ontake.  However, there are 11 active volcanos around the area, this actually increases the risk of an eruption affecting the operations of the nuclear plants in the area.  This concern is also shown in the change in attitude for the people. As the article reported, there is large number of 7500 people gathered on 26^th September to protest the reopening of the Sendai reactors which was said to be the largest demonstration seen thus far. By referring to week 7 lessons, it was said that the Japanese had been taught to obey authorities but with the Fukushima incident as a learning point. It would seem that the Japanese had learned to question certain actions that the government is taking especially with issues that concern not just a region but rather the whole of Japan.

In addition to that, there is also improvement on the government part where they are less inclined to ignore public views in going through with their policy. From the article, despite how much the government head of Kagoshima wanted to restart the reactors, they are waiting to seek the public approval and not just from their own town but the towns that are around the nuclear reactors that could be potentially affected by the restarting of the nuclear plants. This is also supported by the reading in week7 by Aldrich, Nuclear future that Japan had been going forward with their nuclear plans despite local and national opposition since mid-1950s which is a big change compared then and now.

In conclusion, issues in Japan are generally the same with the government being pro-nuclear and the citizens being less inclined to use nuclear power but I would like to pose a question to end this off. Is it truly necessary/unnecessary for Japan to use nuclear power considering Japan’s current situation. This question is likely to be best answered by Japan whom is facing this crisis but the world will look towards them for lessons on how to overcome a nuclear crisis.

References 

Daniel P. Aldrich. 2012. Networks of Power

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagoshima_Prefecture#Geography

http://www.theclimategroup.org/what-we-do/news-and-blogs/japan-will-soon-have-the-worlds-largest-floating-solar-power-plant/

The article describes Japan’s undertaking of another project to provide for the country’s energy needs – by constructing floating solar plants. Set to be constructed in the Hyogo Prefecture, the plants are expected to be completed around March next year.

To construct what is being touted as “the world’s largest floating solar power plant” in the span of a few months is no small feat. The speed at which such measures to adopt ‘green’ forms of energy are being carried out is a testament to the aftereffects of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Previously, around 30% of Japan’s electrical power had been generated by nuclear reactors (World-nuclear.org, 2014). Now with future nuclear projects now on indefinite hold, there exists an increasing need to seek an alternative source of stable energy production.

Japan has begun to adopt green energy as a means to fill that vacuum, and this project is one such means of harnessing that energy for use. Residents have noted that their living environments are being transformed by the construction of solar panels in residential spaces, even appearing near rivers and replacing rice paddies (Tofugu.com, 2014).

However, it is also important to examine the nature of Japan’s solar revolution and its impact on the environment. Referring to the article, by constructing a plant on a lake, there are already implications that the project intrudes into the lake’s ecology. As such, the plant’s efficiency should not be the sole focal point, as it also has to be examined vis-a-vis its surrounding environment. The article mentions how the plant’s structure would enable the water of the lake to provide cooling for the plant. By doing so, the plant is claimed to be able to generate less heat, making efficiency of operations “superior by 11%”.

Yet less heat does not equate to no heat being generated by the operations of the solar plant. There is no mention of what happens to the lakewater after it has been used for cooling the plant’s solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Should the heated water be pumped back into the lake, the lake’s ecology and marine life would be affected by such changes in the water’s temperature. The article makes no effort to address such possible concerns, instead choosing to emphasize the attractiveness of having an efficient source of energy via graphs, claiming that “evidence that barriers to clean technology can be overcome”.

Solar panels have thus increasingly found their way into natural spaces. As mentioned above, solar panels have also been installed by riversides and mountains. Besides the transformation of urban areas, the natural environment is also being shaped by the drive towards a ‘green’ sustainable form of energy. Solar energy plants are able to promise a steady supply of energy without greenhouse gas emission and without the same degree of risk as nuclear energy. Yet at the same time, can it truly be ‘green’ if it involves the replacement of nature with something artificial, or if the pursuit of solar energy results in negative consequences for the environment?

I realize that this is not a question easily answered, nor will such a debate come to a concrete conclusion as sustainable forms of energy come with their respective advantages and disadvantages. While Japan appears to have taken increasing measures towards pursuing solar power, going as far as to invent sun-chasing solar panels (Solardaily.com, 2014), it remains to be seen how much of a balance can be struck between the natural environment and such man-made inventions.

References:

Solardaily.com,. (2014). Japan firm develops ‘sun-chasing’ solar panels. Retrieved 28 September 2014, from http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Japan_firm_develops_sun-chasing_solar_panels_999.html

Tofugu.com,. (2014). Japan’s Solar Revolution – The Sky’s (Not) the Limit. Retrieved 28 September 2014, from http://www.tofugu.com/2014/05/29/japans-solar-revolution-the-skys-not-the-limit/

World-nuclear.org,. (2014). Nuclear Power in Japan – Japanese Nuclear Energy. Retrieved 28 September 2014, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-G-N/Japan/

The article reports on the increasing number of Japanese businesses which have chosen to institute an eco-points systems to encourage employees and their families to adopt environmentally friendly behaviour. It focuses on several employees who speak about their motivations for participating in their respective companies’ renditions, and the effects of it on themselves, or their immediate family.

What seems most telling is that the eco-points system is a reward system. As with any other loyalty scheme, a certain number of points can be exchanged for a material reward, which in this cases ranges from a bicycle to days off. The promise of reward is what seems to be the driving factor behind  Mr. Jōko’s daily routine of hunting down events to which he may go during the weekend and report his attendance in exchange for eco-points – “if I must go out, then I might as well go somewhere that allows me to accumulate more points”.  This shows that participation is not born out of a ‘Japanese’ desire to ‘live in harmony with nature’ (Kalland and Asquith, 1997) and thus, protect it. It was from a clear desire to exchange eco-points for the abovementioned rewards and apart from personal gains, he does not mention it as part of a larger blueprint or effort for environmental preservation.

While benefits such as that mentioned by Mr. Jōko include savings on utility bills and more conversational topics at the dinner table, the intentions behind the design of the scheme are clear – to widen their target audience to include employees’ families so that more people are environmentally aware or inclined to change their behaviour. However, if the voluntary nature of the nationwide scheme means that only some companies will participate, thus limiting the net impact. The scope of the scheme is also such that it alone may not be sufficient to influence sociocultural norms permanently. In making the scheme akin to a game with the sole goal of earning points for rewards, it achieves immediate success and fair takeup rates. Yet should the scheme end or companies deem participation surplus to requirement, will the changes in behaviour shown by participants persist?

If one were to consider the scheme successful, be it in the short run or long term, then it speaks of a problem symptomatic in Japanese society. Although it is an urban detachment in nostalgia experienced by contemporary city-dwellers that Kirby (2011) refers to, I believe that none of the participants truly see beyond the exhortations to be environmentally aware and ‘eco-friendly’, or the material rewards co-operation has brought them. A similar detachment displayed in environmental conservation movements by civilians and businesses alike may prove detrimental to a more lasting commitment that will continue beyond the scheme’s lifespan.

References

Asquith, Pamela J, and Arne Kalland. 1997. Japanese Images Of Nature. 1st ed. Richmond: Curzon Press

Kirby, P. W. 2011. Troubled Natures: Waste, Environment, Japan. 1st ed. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.

The article may be found at: http://digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3S11355016.html?iref=comkiji_txt_end_s_kjid_DA3S11355016 1/

For additional information on eco-points:

Eco-Akushon-Pointo Ni Kansuru Gaidorain Kaisetsuhen (Guidelines Regarding Eco-Action Points – An Explanation). 2014. Ebook. 1st ed. Tokyo: Environmental Policy Bureau. Accessed September 24. http://www.env.go.jp/policy/eco-point/guideline/exp.pdf.

Japan Takes Holidays to G8 High with Mountain Day

Link: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/japan-takes-holidays-g8-high-mountain-day-112611881.html

This article introduces a newly established holiday called Mountain Day in Japan which will be celebrated annually on August 11, with effect from 2016. The passage suggests that a primary incentive of such a holiday is to provide people with “opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate blessings from mountains.” In addition to this, Mountain Day seeks to provide salarymen with more vacation time, away from their stuffy office cubicles.

The article describes the relationship between Japan and the environment as a harmonious one whereby Japanese, especially the older generations, would enjoy trekking up the mountains. During winter, Japanese and even foreigners will head to the snowy slopes to ski and snowboard. However, realistically speaking, more attention is often given to the various activities rather than to nature itself. In Moon’s words, “nature (is) turned into a commodity wrapped with other attractions” and thus, becomes the backdrop beneath everything else. Furthermore, by creating a holiday for people to head to the mountains, there is bound to be destruction of nature due to increased human activities. Subsequently, from an economic perspective, additional destruction will be inevitable when more facilities are built to meet people’s needs. How is it that Japan can still claim to be green when there seems to be more damage done to the environment?

The article goes on to explain how Japan is a nature-loving country as a result of a Shinto-inspired culture. On top of Mountain Day, there are also other holidays celebrating nature such as Ocean Day (or Marine Day) and Greenery Day. Shintoism comes into play when people continue believing in some of the myths. For instance, mountains and wilderness are believed to house many spirits and it is important to pay respects to the mountains, so as to appease the spirits (Kalland and Asquith, 1997). As Kirby (2011) explains, Shintoism may not be adopted by many in contemporary urban Japan but the legacy of Shintoism permeates all stages of Japanese society. In which, appreciation of “Japanese nature” is seen as a way of expressing one’s Japaneseness. I would argue that Japan is not as nature-loving as the article claims to be. By pinning a specific day for the celebration of mountains, the holiday serves as a reminder to Japanese that one should appreciate their mountains – therefore, it is not an inherent characteristic amongst Japanese.

To conclude, Japan provides the illusion of being green due to the vast amount of green landmass but in practice, a lot of the activities neglect the true existence of nature. Instead, nature’s existence is often suppressed by greater economic benefits.

Words: 432

Bibliography:

Asquith, P. and Kalland, A. (1997). ‘Japanese Perceptions of Nature: Ideals and Illusions’. In Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives. Curzon Press, pp.1-35.

Kirby, P. (2011). Troubled natures. 1st ed. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, pp.69-84.

Moon, O. (1997). ‘Marketing Nature in Rural Japan’. In Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives, P. J. Asquith and A. Kalland, Richmond. Curzon Press, pp.221-235.

Article: Tokyo combats flood threats with second mammoth reservoir

The article centres on the construction of Japan’s second largest underground reservoir built underneath one of the world’s second-biggest by land area after New York City (Adelman, 2014). It follows after the first underground reservoir built in 1993 in western Tokyo, to control the amount of river discharge in the Naka River Basin by channelling water underground and then funnelling the floodwaters to the nearby Edo River (Zolbert, 2012). Throughout the article, I observed how the author constantly reminds the reader on the uniqueness of the solution. There is a general idea that the flood management is designed to meet the unique needs of Japan’s relationship with its environment and at the end, paints a positive futuristic outlook for countries with similar characteristics like Hong Kong and Japan to follow suit.

Upon reading the article, I found it interesting how the author paints the world to be in awe at the remarkable solution Japan has developed in managing a problem common to many metropolitan cities in the world. The recognition of a “unique-to-Japan” strategy subtly underlines the continued existence of a stereotype towards the Japanese proposed love for nature despite many scholars like Kalland and Asquith who have called it a myth (Kalland and Asquith, 1997).  Bearing in mind that the Japanese have at some point attempted to control and dominate the environment, I wondered how they were so willing in embracing the compliments the world was throwing at them for their “note-worthy” and “ingenious” solution as many experts point out in the article. Perhaps the eagerness could be interpreted as an effort to remind the world about the “nihonjinron” values as well as how nature is embodied within the Japanese nature and gene pool which Kirby argues against (Kirby, 2011).

 While the article does not explicitly indicate Japan and the subject of “green”, it does suggest a sort of harmony in which Japan strives to achieve with its environment. From remarking at its ability to adapt to the problems created by the concrete footprint in cities, we get an idea at what the author is trying to say, “Japan has done it again”. It has once again shown us its capabilities in bringing into control the nature that the Western claim to be “wild” (Kalland and Asquith, 1997), creating an environment where people can live harmoniously with the threats of nature.

 Despite the world’s commendation of Japan’s breakthrough technology in adapting to the environment, I beg to differ that the country is as green as it portrays itself to be. Much less, its supposed love for nature. The history of Japan’s dam siting shows how this is not the first time the government is investing a large sum of money and resources in the investment of a facility said to manage flood and improve the lives of the people. But in the case of the underground reservoir, citizens not only supported the government’s decision to construct it but also made several requests for it following the destructive impacts of typhoons. Through all this, I notice the lack of concern for the possible environmental impacts of a man-made feature of such a massive scale. Much like the protests against dam siting in the 1970s and 1980s, resistance were generally against the human impacts of flooding out villages and less on the possible ecological impacts the dams would have on the river and aquatic animals (Aldrich, 2008). Similar in this article, the Japanese triumph and little is mentioned about the possible consequences of constructing such a massive underground reservoir. In fact, a quick search on the internet also revealed little protests or concerns regarding the amount of energy the facility might consume. 5 gigantic vertical shafts with turbines of 14000 horsepower, imagine the carbon footprint of that much less 2 of that. This made me consider Kirby’s argument about the Japanese engagement with nature. Perhaps being out of sight is out of mind, hence by putting such a massive facility out of sight, the government indirectly removes the mirror for them to look at themselves looking at nature (Kirby, 2011).

 Figure 1. Schematic of the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channelhttp://web-japan.org/trends/11_tech-life/tec130312.html

Bibliography:

 Aldrich, D. P. (2008). Site fights: divisive facilities and civil society in Japan and the West. Ithaca, Cornell University Press.

Adelman, J. (2014). Tokyo combats flood threats with second mammoth reservoir. The Japan Times, 17 August 2014 (accessed on 9 September 2014)

Zolbert, A., (2012) How giant tunnels protect Tokyo from flood threat. CNN Official Website, (accessed on 9 September 2014) http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/31/world/asia/japan-flood-tunnel/

Kalland, A. and Asquith, P.J. (1997) Japanese Perceptions of Nature: ideals and illusions. Japanese Images of Nature, UK: Curzon

Kirby, P. W. (2011). Troubled natures: waste, environment, Japan. Honolulu, University of Hawai’i Press.