Rather than a dispassionate public policy treatment of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the three authors of this book have written an impassioned denunciation of the decision makers responsible for the event. Understandable moral outrage drives a discussion that hits every major aspect of the tragedy, from the public relations campaign that convinced many Japanese to accept nuclear electric power production reactors less than a decade after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to the irresponsible nuclear reactor design and location decisions by Tokyo Electric Power Company, to involvement of organized crime syndicate labor subcontractors in the cleanup operations at the Fukushima site. Some of the most interesting material in the book describes the relationship between conservative media mogul and nuclear power enthusiast Matsutaro Shoriki and the CIA. The authors detail the cozy relationship between the nuclear industry and the government and the bumbling response of Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s cabinet. The government’s insistence on dealing with the disaster primarily as a public opinion problem rather than a public health problem, including official prevarication about the magnitude of the risks to health of radioactive contamination, comes in for scathing attack. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.

CHOICE

With PM Abe itching to rev the reactors back up, Nuclear Tsunami is essential reading because it exposes the web of deceit and half-truths surrounding Japan’s nuclear catastrophe, failures to learn the lessons highlighted in three major investigations and shambolic decommissioning efforts at Fukushima Daichi. Risk is yet again being downplayed and bleak evacuation scenarios ignored while the shattered lives of 100,000 nuclear refugees remind us of the nuclear village’s folly and remarkable resilience in the face of cascading, damning revelations.

- Jeff Kingston, Temple University, Japan Campus,

This cutting-edge work merits considerable attention for those who are interested in learning more about Japan’s relationship with nuclear energy and the ramifications of the colossal disaster caused by the implosion of the Fukushima nuclear plant. Not only does this book provide a well-researched historical perspective of Japan’s nuclear energy industry, but it also presents a bold and brave analysis of the Fukushima disaster including industry’s role, the Japanese government’s failures, and United States’ impact on this catastrophe. It also provides valuable insights into the legal issues and compensation claims arising from Fukushima.

- Matthew J. Wilson, University of Akron School of Law,