Fukushima evacuees, citizens groups vexed by Oi restart decision

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201206170022        

Voices from Fukushima evacuees:  "There are no safety guarantees for nuclear plants. If they are really concerned about their livelihoods, moves should be made toward eliminating all nuclear plants."  “There should never be another case of an 'unexpected' accident." Ms. Mie Shimura now lives in temporary housing in Fukushima city after having moved several times after the nuclear accident. She said the hardest thing to deal with was not knowing how long she would have to evacuate.  “I may not be able to return to Futaba while I am still living," she said. "I wonder if it is all right to resume operations. I don't want anyone else to go through what I have."……..
Among those who have tried to conserve electricity as a means of moving away from nuclear energy, anger and disappointment were the prime emotions triggered by the decision to restart two reactors at the Oi plant: "The government wasted an excellent opportunity," said Teisuke Suzuki, who operates a "kamaboko" (fish paste) company in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. …….Suzuki's company reduced electricity usage last summer by 25 percent and is seeking a similar level this year.  "While there are risks from not operating the plants, I feel the risks of an accident are much greater," Suzuki said……
Another group has been urging consumers to switch to more energy-efficient fluorescent lighting as well as asking businesses to review their lighting measures:  "The government should have called for greater electricity conservation measures rather than resume operations so I am disappointed," said Akiko Yoshida, a member of the group. "But I do not think the trend toward energy conservation will change."…..
Other groups have been pushing petition drives for local referendums on nuclear energy:  Tomoko Matsumoto, 48, of Akishima in western Tokyo, joined such a group because she regretted not showing a greater interest in electricity usage and the communities that host nuclear plants before the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident.  "There is a huge gap between public opinion in which more people are opposed to resumption of operations and the decision made by the government," she said. "I did not want just a few people to make such an important decision."