Fukushima: What Went Wrong?

{
  "authors": [
    "Mark Hibbs"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "NPP",
  "programs": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "East Asia",
    "Japan"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Nuclear Policy",
    "Nuclear Energy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Fukushima: What Went Wrong?

Although Japan's Fukushima reactors have been shut down, their fuel rods still need to cool down, so that the remaining water meant to cool the core does not boil and expose the radioactive rods.

By Mark Hibbs

Published on Mar 11, 2011

Source: CBC Radio

In reaction to the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, the Fukushima boiling water reactors automatically shut down. However, within the first few hours, the site’s main cooling system failed to function properly. Though the nuclear chain reaction is no longer proceeding, the fuel rods still need to cool, explained Carnegie’s Mark Hibbs on CBC Radio. The fuel is surrounded by water, which is supposed to act as a coolant. However, Hibbs said, if the water around the core were to boil, then the fuel would be exposed. Though Japan has an advanced nuclear energy industry, this crisis prompts a need to reconsider whether older equipment, such as that used in the Fukushima reactors, is seismically sound.

Nuclear Policy Nuclear Energy East Asia Japan

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary
China’s Evolving Economic and Security Role in the Middle East
The advantage that China has over other global powers, especially America, is that its foreign policy is closely aligned with those of many of the Middle Eastern countries.
Jin Liangxiang, Maha Yahya, Hesham Alghannam
Article
The Geopolitics of Economic Development in the Middle East
To create an environment more conducive to cooperation and development, U.S. and Chinese efforts should seek the endorsement of neighboring countries and regional organizations. Otherwise, regional and geopolitical rivalries will remain barriers.
Abdullah Baabood
Commentary
The Gaza War and the Rest of the World
Scholars from Carnegie’s global network comment on how the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is affecting their areas of interest, and what the implications of this may be.
+11
Maha Yahya, Rosa Balfour, Judy Dempsey, …
Commentary
Diwan
China’s Middle Eastern Moment
In an interview, Abdullah Baabood discusses Beijing’s evolving role in the Gulf region, where its priority is stability.
Michael Young
Article
Why China Is Emerging as a Main Promoter of Stability in the Strait of Hormuz
Because of its reliance on the Gulf region for much of its oil and gas, China has a strong interest in preserving security in the region, an early example of which was its mediation of the recent Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation.
Abdullah Baabood

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary

China’s Evolving Economic and Security Role in the Middle East

The advantage that China has over other global powers, especially America, is that its foreign policy is closely aligned with those of many of the Middle Eastern countries.

Jin Liangxiang, Maha Yahya, Hesham Alghannam

Article

The Geopolitics of Economic Development in the Middle East

To create an environment more conducive to cooperation and development, U.S. and Chinese efforts should seek the endorsement of neighboring countries and regional organizations. Otherwise, regional and geopolitical rivalries will remain barriers.

Abdullah Baabood

Commentary

The Gaza War and the Rest of the World

Scholars from Carnegie’s global network comment on how the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is affecting their areas of interest, and what the implications of this may be.

- +11
Maha Yahya, Rosa Balfour, Judy Dempsey, …

Commentary

Diwan

China’s Middle Eastern Moment

In an interview, Abdullah Baabood discusses Beijing’s evolving role in the Gulf region, where its priority is stability.

Michael Young

Article

Why China Is Emerging as a Main Promoter of Stability in the Strait of Hormuz

Because of its reliance on the Gulf region for much of its oil and gas, China has a strong interest in preserving security in the region, an early example of which was its mediation of the recent Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation.

Abdullah Baabood