Brian Barton
Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, has been affected by nuclear explosions and radioactive contamination. In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami caused an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, leading to the release of radioactive material into the ocean and resulting in marine life being exposed to radiation. This disaster prompted an influx of evacuees to Okinawa, seeking refuge from the radiation risks associated with the Fukushima region. Okinawa has a history of nuclear incidents, including a nuclear rocket launch into a local harbor in 1959 and the presence of radioactive firefighting foam on military bases. The pollution from these events and the potential health risks to residents have been a significant concern for Okinawans, with the US military's handling of the situation drawing criticism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of nuclear explosion | Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant |
| Cause of explosion | Earthquake and tsunami |
| Radioactive substances released | Cs-134, Cs-137, Strontium-90, Plutonium |
| Impact on marine life | Exposure to radioactive materials, persistent contamination of some marine species |
| Health risks for humans | Increased risk of cancer and other diseases |
| Pollution sources in Okinawa | U.S. military bases, toxins from former bases, PFAS contamination |
| Efforts to mitigate pollution | Japanese government offering financial aid to relocating families, installing passive autocatalytic recombiners (PARs) |
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What You'll Learn
Okinawa hosted nuclear warheads and chemical weapons for years
Okinawa has a history of nuclear weapon storage and chemical weapons disposal, which has resulted in environmental contamination.
During the Cold War, the United States stored nuclear weapons on Okinawa, including "hundreds of nuclear warheads and a large arsenal of chemical munitions". This was officially declassified by the U.S. government in 2016, though it had been an open secret for decades. The presence of these weapons on Japanese territory was a controversial issue, with Japanese leaders and U.S. officials denying it.
Photographic evidence from 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, shows the Mark 7 bomb, the first widely-used multipurpose U.S. atomic warhead, being prepared for mounting by U.S. Air Force personnel. The Mark 28 warhead, the first U.S. nuclear warhead designed as a complete weapon system, was also present on the island during this period. The 663rd Field Artillery Battalion operated the Army's 280mm M65 Atomic Cannon ("Atomic Annie") from Okinawa between 1955 and 1960. From 1961 to 1969, the 498th Tactical Missile Group operated the MGM-13 Mace nuclear-armed cruise missile, with 32 missiles kept on constant alert at four Okinawa launch sites. In total, Okinawa hosted approximately 1,200 nuclear warheads and 13,000 tons of chemical weapons.
The storage and use of these weapons have had environmental consequences for Okinawa. In 1959, a Nike-Hercules anti-aircraft missile with a nuclear warhead was accidentally fired from Naha Air Base, though the warhead was not detonated. In the early 1980s, U.S. Marines unearthed barrels of suspected Agent Orange at MCAS Futenma, though the Pentagon denied storing defoliants on Okinawa. In 1995, plans to redevelop military land in Onna village were hindered by high levels of mercury and PCBs, and in 2021, Chatan town had to postpone a road-widening project due to dangerous levels of lead found on former U.S. military property.
Okinawa has also been indirectly affected by nuclear disasters on the Japanese mainland. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, caused by a tsunami, over 1,000 people relocated to Okinawa to escape radiation. The disaster released radioactive material into the Pacific Ocean, with elevated levels of Cs-134 detected in migratory fish species off the coast of California, and radioactive tuna found off the U.S. Pacific coast in 2014. While no visible health effects from Fukushima radiation have been observed, experts warn that even low-dose radiation carries some risk of cancer and other diseases.
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The US withdrew nuclear weapons from Okinawa in 1972
The Joint Chiefs of Staff had previously identified Okinawa as a "close-in staging area and operational base" for conventional and nuclear forces, with a key role in supporting land, air, and naval forces in the Western Pacific. The island was also a hub for an extensive communications network in the region.
Despite this, the US was forced to negotiate the removal of nuclear weapons from Okinawa due to the Japanese government's policy of barring nuclear weapons from Japanese soil. The political costs of any other action were deemed too high, and the Japanese public was broadly supportive of this stance.
The US had contemplated using nuclear weapons based in Okinawa during the Korean War and had upgraded runways at Kadena to accommodate nuclear-capable aircraft. However, by the 1970s, the US had to reconsider its military posture in the region due to budgetary restrictions and the decreasing need for forward-deployed forces following the Vietnam War.
The US government officially acknowledged in 2015 that it had stored nuclear weapons in Okinawa prior to 1972, though this had been widely speculated since the 1960s.
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Okinawan nuclear workers are at risk of radiation exposure
The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster, caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, led to the displacement of thousands of people. Many fled to Okinawa, the farthest place from Fukushima within Japan. This was due to fears of radiation exposure, as the Fukushima coast has one of the world's strongest currents, which could spread radioactive material.
Okinawa has a connection to the nuclear industry, with many Okinawans working in atomic energy. However, these workers are at risk of radiation exposure, with fatalistic attitudes and a lack of education on the dangers. Higuchi Kenji, an anti-nuclear activist, has highlighted the issue of internal radiation exposure, which is often not addressed by companies. As of 2005, only six cases of dangerous levels of radiation exposure had been officially acknowledged, despite activists reporting a much higher number of cases.
One tragic example is the death of an Okinawan worker in his 50s from radiation exposure. His story, along with others, highlights the risk faced by Okinawan nuclear workers. Companies often downplay the dangers, assuring workers that following procedures will protect them. However, this ignores the risks of internal exposure, ageing equipment, and accidents.
Furthermore, there is a history of corporate irresponsibility, such as the TEPCO cover-up of cracks in reactor shrouds, which was only exposed by a whistleblower. The Japanese government's early response to the Fukushima disaster was in line with recommendations for radiation exposure, evacuating individuals within a 20-kilometer radius and encouraging voluntary evacuation for those between 20 and 30 kilometers from the plant.
The health risks of radiation exposure depend on several factors, including the amount and type of radiation, weather conditions, proximity to the source, and time spent in irradiated areas. Radiation exposure can lead to acute radiation syndrome with a short-term dose of 1000 mSv, while lower doses over time can slightly increase the risk of cancer development. The Japanese health ministry has set up an office to monitor the health and radiation exposure of plant workers, compiling data for long-term monitoring.
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Nuclear labour is attractive due to pay and a clean reputation
The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster in 2011 saw people fleeing to Okinawa, the farthest place from the disaster within Japan. The nuclear accident was caused by a tsunami, which led to multiple meltdowns and explosions at the plant. This resulted in the release of radioactive isotopes and the contamination of seawater, coastal sediments, and marine life. The French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety reported that the accident represented the most significant individual oceanic emissions of artificial radioactivity ever observed. The Kuroshio Current, one of the world's strongest currents, dispersed the contaminated waters into the Pacific Ocean, spreading the radioactivity. While there have been no visible health effects from the radioactive contamination in Fukushima, experts warn that even low-dose radiation carries some risk of cancer and other diseases.
Okinawa, being the only tropical island in Japan, became a popular relocation destination for those seeking to escape the radiation and the Tokyo Electric Power Co., the utility operating Fukushima Dai-ichi. The Okinawan government offered financial assistance to relocating families, providing $750 per month to help with rent. This generosity and determination to provide support to those affected by the disaster underscored Okinawa's commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment.
Nuclear labour has long been a controversial topic, with issues impacting the health and well-being of labourers, itinerant workers, and their families. The allure of nuclear labour for some individuals stems from the financial incentives it offers. In certain cases, such as the Port Radium mine in 1942, workers were enticed by the relatively high wages. Indigenous Dené men were recruited to mine uranium, earning three dollars per day, which was considered attractive at the time. However, it is important to note that these workers were not adequately informed about the hazards of uranium mining and suffered health consequences, including cancer and other radiation-induced diseases.
The nuclear industry often relies on a transient workforce, known as "nuclear gypsies," who are employed by subcontractors and perform hazardous tasks. These workers are attracted by the prospect of higher pay, especially in the context of contract labour. In 1999, the Los Angeles Times reported that nearly 90% of Japanese nuclear power plant workers were subcontractors engaged in dangerous jobs. Temporary workers in the nuclear industry may be exposed to higher levels of radiation than regular employees, and they often migrate between facilities to stay within their allowable radiation exposure limits.
While financial incentives play a significant role in the attraction of nuclear labour, it is important to acknowledge that, in some cases, the reputation of nuclear energy as a clean energy source may also influence individuals' decisions to work in the industry. Nuclear power is sometimes promoted as a solution to the climate crisis, and those seeking employment in the energy sector may view nuclear labour as an opportunity to contribute to a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. However, it is crucial for workers to be fully informed about the risks associated with nuclear energy production and to have access to adequate protective measures and gear.
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The Pentagon denied storing defoliants on Okinawa
Okinawa, the only tropical island in Japan, has become a popular escape for those fleeing the Fukushima nuclear disaster. However, the island has its own history of pollution and contamination. In June 2013, construction workers unearthed over 20 rusty barrels from beneath a soccer pitch in Okinawa City. The land had once been part of the Pentagon's largest installation in the Pacific region, Kadena Air Base, but was returned to civilian use in 1987.
Tests revealed that the barrels contained two ingredients of military defoliants used in the Vietnam War: the herbicide 2,4,5-T and 2,3,7,8-TCDD dioxin. Levels of the highly toxic TCDD in nearby water were measured at 280 times the safe limit. This discovery contradicted the Pentagon's repeated denials of storing defoliants, including Agent Orange, on Okinawa. The Pentagon spokesperson stated that they were investigating whether the barrels had been buried after the land's return in 1987, and a U.S.-sponsored scientist suggested they may have contained kitchen or medical waste.
However, the Japanese and international scientific community refuted these claims, concluding that the barrels disproved the Pentagon's denials and that the polluted land posed a significant health threat to local residents. This incident is not isolated, as similar denials by the Pentagon have been made regarding the use of defoliants in Guam and South Korea. Furthermore, official documents, photographs, and testimonies from hundreds of veterans suggest that Vietnam War defoliants were indeed stored, sprayed, and buried throughout Okinawa.
In 2014, all components of Agent Orange were discovered at a former military dumpsite in Okinawa City, and the following year, nearby water was found to be contaminated with dioxin at 21,000 times the safe level. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has begun awarding compensation to veterans claiming exposure on the island, with at least seven service members receiving assistance so far. Despite this, the Pentagon continues to deny the presence of defoliants on Okinawa, leading to frustration and an ongoing cycle of stalled claims for many veterans.
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Frequently asked questions
Okinawa has welcomed evacuees from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Experts and the government say there have been no visible health effects from radioactive contamination so far. However, low-dose radiation carries some risk of cancer and other diseases, and exposure should be avoided.
An earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 caused an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This released radioactive isotopes into the ocean, exposing marine life to radioactive materials.
The Fukushima coast has one of the world's strongest currents, which dispersed contaminated waters into the Pacific Ocean. Radioactive material has been found in migratory fish species off the coast of California and in tuna off the U.S. West Coast.
Yes, the U.S. military has a significant presence in Okinawa, with 31 military bases. There have been multiple incidents of pollution, including the contamination of drinking water for 450,000 people with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
